Kinetics of Li<sub><i>x</i></sub>FePO<sub>4</sub> Lithiation/Delithiation
by Ferrocene-Based Redox Mediators:
An Electrochemical Approach
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Abstract
An
electrochemical approach for studying the kinetics of reactions
between redox mediators and Li-ion battery electrode materials has
been developed. The approach is based on a simple diffusion-reaction
model, similar to that used to describe the classical catalytic electrochemical–chemical
(EC′) reaction mechanism. Using this approach it is possible
to determine the diffusion length of redox mediators in a porous film
made from a Li-ion battery electrode material. The rate constant for
reaction between redox species and the porous electrode may then be
calculated. The approach is applied to determine rate constants for
the disappearance of ferrocene and dibromoferrocenium due to reaction
with excess pristine and carbon-coated Li<sub><i>x</i></sub>FePO<sub>4</sub> (0 ≤ <i>x</i> ≤ 1) nanoparticulate
films (porosity ∼0.63, BET surface area 20–30 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>–1</sup>) and excess Li<sup>+</sup> (0.1 M),
which are of relevance to the operation of the recently introduced
redox-flow Li-ion battery. Pseudo-first-order volumetric rate constants
in the range 1–6 s<sup>–1</sup> were obtained, corresponding
to apparent heterogeneous rate constants in the range 2.2 × 10<sup>–6</sup> – 4.4 × 10<sup>–6</sup> cm s<sup>–1</sup>, which we show are fast enough not to limit the charge/discharge
rate of redox flow Li-ion batteries constructed from these materials