New synthesis route for metal fluorosulphates
Cathodes made from olivine-type LiFePO4 are currently being investigated for use in batteries thanks to having properties such as high structural stability, low production costs and high theoretical capacities – but they are currently restricted by being unable to provide sufficient voltage. A possible way to increase the voltage in such a system could be the isostructural replacement of (PO4)3- with (SO4)2- as well as the introduction of fluorine.
In their CrystEngComm Communication, Yongchun Zhu, Yitai Qian and colleagues have prepared the compound NaFeSO4F in a single, short step (previous methods have taken more than 40 hours) using a benzene-water azeotrope, which is a mixture of liquids that boils at a constant temperature, maintaining the ratio of constituents.
Could this method be adapted to synthesise other fluorosulphates in one step, such as LiZnSO4F or NaZNSO4F, for use as cathode materials?
Read the Communication to find out more – it’s currently free.
A novel benzene–water azeotrope route to new Na-based metal fluorosulphates NaFeSO4F and NaFeSO4F·2H2O in one minute
Zhengqiu Yuan, Denghu Wei, Yan Wang, Yongchun Zhu, Yitai Qian and Kaibing Tang
CrystEngComm, 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2CE25155H
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