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Li-rich nanoparticles of Li_1+xMn_2-xO₄ doped with Al, Co or Ni are successfully synthesized using a facile, fast and efficient microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. In this study, we demonstrate that nanocrystallinity and cationic doping play an important role in improving the electrochemical performance with respect to LiMn₂O₄ microparticles. They significantly reduce the charge-transfer resistance, lower the 1^st cycle irreversible capacity to 6%, and achieve a capacity retention between 85 and 90% after 380 cycles, with excellent columbic efficiency close to 99%.

All-solid-state lithium batteries are a promising alternative for next generation of safe energy storage devices, provided that parasitic side reactions and the resulting hindrances in ionic transport at the electrolyte-electrode interface can be overcome. Motivated by the need for a fundamental understanding of such interface, we present here real-time measurements of the (electro-)chemical reactivity and local surface potential at the electrified interface Li₃PS₄ and LiCoO₂ using operando X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

We demonstrate the capability of conventional laboratory XPS to determine the anions solvation shell of Li⁺ cation within 1M of LiTFSI and 1M of LiFSI salts dissolved in (EMIM⁺-FSI^-) and (EMIM⁺-TFSI^-) ionic liquids. The binding energy difference between the N1s components originating from the EMIM⁺ cation and from TFSI^- or FSI^- anions, solvating the Li⁺, confirms that both TFSI^- and FSI^- contribute simultaneously to the Li⁺ solvation. Additionally, the degradation of the TFSI and FSI -based electrolytes under X-ray exposure is proved.   

The growth of crystalline Li-based oxide thin films on silicon substrates is essential for the integration of next-generation solid-state lithionic and electronic devices. In this work, we employ a 2 nm γ-Al₂O₃ buffer layer on Si substrates in order to grow high quality crystalline thin films Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO). Long-term galvanostatic cycling of 50 nm LTO demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, specific capacity of 175 mAh g^-1 and 56 mAh g^-1 at 100C and 5000C respectively, with a capacity retention of 91% after 5000 cycles.