Abstract
The fundamental electronic structure of the widely used battery material still remains a mystery. Soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy of reveals that holes with strong O character play an essential role in the electronic conductivity of the mixed valence layer. The oxygen holes are bound to the sites and the Li-ion vacancy, suggesting that the Li-ion flow can be stabilized by oxygen hole back flow. Such an oxygen hole state of is unique among the various oxide-based battery materials and is one of the key ingredients to improving their electronic and Li-ion conductivities.
- Received 22 March 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.056404
© 2013 American Physical Society