Abstract
We present an incisive spectroscopic technique for directly probing redox orbitals based on bulk electron momentum density measurements via high-resolution x-ray Compton scattering. Application of our method to spinel , a lithium ion battery cathode material, is discussed. The orbital involved in the lithium insertion and extraction process is shown to mainly be the oxygen orbital. Moreover, the manganese states are shown to experience spatial delocalization involving electrons per Mn site during the battery operation. Our analysis provides a clear understanding of the fundamental redox process involved in the working of a lithium ion battery.
- Received 27 May 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.087401
© 2015 American Physical Society