High-energy x-ray diffraction study on phase transition asymmetry of plastic crystal neopentylglycol

As a prototype material of colossal barocaloric effects, neopentylglycol is investigated by combining high-precision differential scanning calorimetric measurement and high-energy x-ray diffraction measurement. The diffraction data at constant temperatures indicate a first-order phase transition with thermal hysteresis as well as the phase transition asymmetry,specifically, the phase transition is completed faster at cooling than at heating. The analysis of resulting pair distribution function confirms the intermolecular disorder in the high-temperature phase. The phase transition asymmetry is quantitatively characterized by time-resolved x-ray diffraction, which is in agreement with the thermal measurement. Also, such an asymmetry is observed to be suppressed at high pressures.

Unveiling the correlation between structural alterations and enhanced high-voltage cyclability in Na-deficient P3-type layered cathode materials via Li incorporation

With exceptional capacity during high-voltage cycling,P3-type Nadeficient layered oxide cathodes have captured substantial attention.Nevertheless,they are plagued by severe capacity degradation over cycling.In this study,tuning and optimizing the phase composition in layered oxides through Li incorporation are proposed to enhance the high-voltage stability.The structural dependence of layered Na_(2/3)LixNi_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)þδoxides on the lithium content(0.0≤x≤1.0)offered during synthesis is investigated systematically on an atomic scale.Surprisingly,increasing the Li content triggers the formation of mixed P2/O3-type or P3/P2/O3-type layered phases.As the voltage window is 1.5-4.5 V,P3-type Na2/3Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)(NL0.0NMO,R3m)material exhibits a sequence of phase transformations throughout the process of(de)sodiation,that is,O3⇌P3⇌O30⇌O3″.Such complicated phase transitions can be effectively suppressed in the Na2/3Li_(0.7)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2.4)(NL_(0.7)NMO)oxide with P2/P3/O3-type mixed phases.Consequently,cathodes made of NL0.7NMO exhibit a substantially enhanced cyclic performance at high voltages compared to that of the P3-type layered NL0.0NMO cathode.Specifically,NL0.7NMO demonstrates an outstanding capacity retention of 98%after 10 cycles at 1 C within 1.5-4.5 V,much higher than that of NL0.0NMO(83%).This work delves into the intricate realm of bolstering the high-voltage durability of layered oxide cathodes,paving the way for advanced sodium-ion battery technologies.