Oxidation behaviour of lattice oxygen in Li-rich manganese-based layered oxide studied by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract

The oxidation/reduction behaviours of lattice oxygen and transition metals in a Li-rich manganese-based layered oxide Li[Li_0.25Ni_0.20Mn_0.55]O_1.93 are investigated by using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAX-PES). By making use of its deeper probing depth rather than in-house XPS analyses, we clearly confirm the formation of O⁻ ions as bulk oxygen species in the active material. They are formed on the 1^st charging process as a charge compensation mechanism for delithiation and decrease on discharging. In particular, the cation–anion dual charge compensation involving Ni and O ions is suggested during the voltage slope region of the charging process. The Ni ions in the material are considered to increase the capacity delivered by a reversible anion redox reaction with the suppression of O₂ gas release. On the other hand, we found structural deterioration in the cycled material. The O⁻ species are still observed but are electrochemically inactive during the 5^th charge–discharge cycle. Also, the oxidation state of Ni ions is divalent and inactive, although that of Mn ions changes reversibly. We believe that this is associated with the structural rearrangement occurring after the activation process during the 1^st charging, leading to the formation of spinel- or rocksalt-like domains over the sub-surface region of the particles.