Lithium iron oxide as alternative anode for li-ion batteries

Lithium–iron oxide Li–Fe–O was synthesized by solid state reaction between Li₂CO₃ and Fe₂O₃. The sample was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The XRD patterns showed well defined reflections corresponding to α-LiFeO₂ and the spinel LiFe₅O₈ in a molar ratio of 9:1. The material was tested as alternative anode for lithium-ion batteries. It exhibited good cyclability delivering about 120 mAh/g after 500 deep charge/discharge cycles. Unlikely, the use of the material as intercalation anode in practical cells is hindered by the irreversible uptake of lithium that takes place during the first lithium insertion. X-ray diffraction pattern showed that during this step a reduction of the lithium iron oxide occurs leading to the formation of lithium oxide and iron metal.