Local Structure and First Cycle Redox Mechanism of Layered Li[sub 1.2]Cr[sub 0.4]Mn[sub 0.4]O[sub 2] Cathode Material

Electrochemical, X-ray diffraction, and K and L edge X-ray absorption data are reported for the layered cathode material The structural data show that this material can be understood as a solid solution of the layered phases and comprising tretravalent Mn and trivalent Cr, with approximately 0.2 lithium incorporated in the transition metal layers. According to the analysis of the K edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure, lithium ions in the transition metal layers are clustered around Mn ions. L edge X-ray absorption near edge spectra show that in the first charge-discharge cycle chromium is the electrochemically active species, cycling between and Manganese remains as throughout charge and discharge. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.