1.5 Structure of this Thesis
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phases which are of highest interest to the Li-ion research community. Nonetheless,
the information gained about the spinel and rocksalt structures is of value in its own
right as spinel materials are currently being used commercially and rocksalt contaminants are often seen in materials made in this system. Chapter 6 focuses on regions
of the triangle where layered phases are present, which includes the single-phase
region, three two-phase regions, and two three-phase regions. This complex system
also transforms during slow cooling and evidence for this is included. Chapter 7
demonstrates how the Li–Mn–Ni–O phase diagrams generated in the combinatorial
studies can easily be adapted for bulk samples made in air. Chapter 8 provides a detailed study of a new class of layered structures in the Li–Mn–Ni–O triangle where
a significant concentration of metal site vacancies are found. Chapter 9 examines
materials very near the layered boundary in the region near LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2 . Phase
separation into layered–layered nano-composites is shown to result in poor electrochemistry. Finally, Chap. 10 summarizes the work presented here, addresses the
points of confusion outlined throughout this introduction, and makes suggestions as
to future work to be done based on the results from this thesis.
17
phases which are of highest interest to the Li-ion research community. Nonetheless,
the information gained about the spinel and rocksalt structures is of value in its own
right as spinel materials are currently being used commercially and rocksalt contaminants are often seen in materials made in this system. Chapter 6 focuses on regions
of the triangle where layered phases are present, which includes the single-phase
region, three two-phase regions, and two three-phase regions. This complex system
also transforms during slow cooling and evidence for this is included. Chapter 7
demonstrates how the Li–Mn–Ni–O phase diagrams generated in the combinatorial
studies can easily be adapted for bulk samples made in air. Chapter 8 provides a detailed study of a new class of layered structures in the Li–Mn–Ni–O triangle where
a significant concentration of metal site vacancies are found. Chapter 9 examines
materials very near the layered boundary in the region near LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 2 . Phase
separation into layered–layered nano-composites is shown to result in poor electrochemistry. Finally, Chap. 10 summarizes the work presented here, addresses the
points of confusion outlined throughout this introduction, and makes suggestions as
to future work to be done based on the results from this thesis.