Facile One-Step Syntheses of Several Complex Ionic Lithium Gallates from LiGa as Intermetallic Precursors

We have employed the intermetallic phase LiGa as a precursor for the preparation of LiGaO 2, LiGaS 2, LiGa 5 O 8, and Li 3 GaN 2, presenting a new and convenient way to synthesize these compounds. They have high potential for application in optical and electrochemical devices, but their reported standard syntheses require sophisticated high-temperature solid-state preparation methods. With LiGa-based precursor routes, oxo-, thio-, and nitridogallates can be obtained in simple one-step reactions under comparatively mild conditions. LiGaO 2 and LiGaS 2 were revisited in terms of crystal structure, ion conductivity, and calculated electronic structure. LiGa 5 O 8 and Li 3 GaN 2 were found as byproducts and are of potential interest for applications themselves. The use of intermetallic phases as precursor materials is in general a valuable yet widely underestimated pathway for simple preparative access to functional materials.