Phase separation and charge localization in UHV-lithiated anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

• The insertion of lithium in anatase TiO2 nanoparticles under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions is studied using x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (RPES) at the Ti L2,3 edge. It is demonstrated that XAS can be used to monitor the separation into an anatase phase and a lithium titanate phase of formal stoichiometry Li0.5TiO2. The initial state properties of the Ti 3d states of the lithium titanate phase are investigated using ab initio electronic structure calculations. The calculations show a correlation driven separation of Ti 3d states from the conduction band in agreement with previous studies. It is shown that Ti in different oxidation states (Ti3+ and Ti4+) is formed as a direct consequence of the electron-electron interaction. RPES and XAS spectra confirm the presence of electronically inequivalent Ti sites. The site-sensitivity of the RPES spectra at selected electron binding energies is found to be consistent with the calculations.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

X-RAY-ABSORPTION

TRANSITION-METAL COMPOUNDS

LITHIUM INTERCALATION

PHOTOELECTRON-SPECTROSCOPY

ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURE

ION INSERTION

2P

LI0.5TIO2

BATTERIES

SPECTRA

Condensed matter physics

Kondenserade materiens fysik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)