Phase diagram, thermodynamic investigations, and modelling of systems relevant to lithium-ion batteries

This article reports on two consecutive joint projects titled \Experimental Thermodynamics and Phase Relations of New Electrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries", which were performed in the framework of the WenDeLIB 1473 priority program \Materials with new Design for Lithium Ion Batteries". Hundreds of samples were synthesized using experimental techniques specifically developed to deal with highly reactive lithium and lithium-containing compounds to generate electrochemical, phase diagram and crystal structure data in the Cu-Li, Li-Sn, Li-Sb, Cu-Li-Sn, Cu-Li-Sb and selected oxide systems. The thermochemical and phase diagram data were subsequently used to develop self-consistent thermodynamic descriptions of several binary systems. In the present contribution, the experimental techniques, working procedures, results and their relevance to the development of new electrode materials for lithium ion batteries are discussed and summarized. The collaboration between the three groups has resulted in more than fifteen (15) published articles during the six-year funding period.