Li K-Edge XANES Spectra of Lithium Niobate and Lithium Tantalite
The x‐ray emission with the single crystal of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) or lithium tantalite (LiTaO3) by thermal changes in a vacuum system is closely concerned with the electronic state of each crystal. Therefore, lithium K‐edge x‐ray absorption near edge structures (XANES) spectra of these materials were measured in the region from 50 eV to 90 eV by means of total electron yield method (T.E.Y.), using the extremely soft x‐ray. Samples were powder of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and single crystal of lithium fluoride (LiF), LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 in order to compare the shapes of these XANES spectra. Various peak structures appear in these spectra in the range from 55 eV to 80 eV and each spectrum has different shapes as a result of the difference of bond length and bond angles for the atoms which are in less than 60 nm from the absorbing atom. The relationship between these spectra and the electronic states was discussed by FEFF 8.
Controlled Experiments and Optimized Theory of Absorption Spectra of Li Metal and Salts.
Investigation of Li metal and ionic compounds through experimental and theoretical spectroscopy has been of tremendous interest due to their prospective applications in Li-metal and Li-ion batteries. Li K-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (sXAS) provides the most direct spectroscopic characterization; unfortunately, due to the low core-level energy and the highly reactive surface, Li-K sXAS of Li metal has been extremely challenging, as evidenced by many controversial reports. Here, through controlled and ultra-high energy resolution experiments of two kinds of in situ prepared samples, we report the intrinsic Li-K sXAS of Li-metal that displays a prominent leading peak that has not been revealed before. Furthermore, theoretical simulations show that, due to the low number of valence electrons in Li, the Li-K sXAS is strongly affected by the response of the valence electrons to the core hole. We successfully reproduce the Li-K sXAS by state-of-the-art calculations with considerations of a number of relevant parameters such as temperature, energy resolution, and, especially, contributions from transitions which are forbidden in the single-particle treatment. Such a comparative experimental and theoretical investigation is further extended to a series of Li ionic compounds, which highlight the importance of considering the total and single-particle energies for obtaining an accurate alignment of the spectra. Our work provides the first reliable Li-K sXAS of the Li metal surface with advanced theoretical calculations. The experimental and theoretical results provide a critical benchmark for studying Li chemistry in both metallic and ionic states.
EFFECT OF SAMPLE PREPARATION ON WATER TREE RESISTANCE OF XLPE/SEBS BLENDS
The effects of an aromatic polymer, such as poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)b-styrene] (SEBS), and its preparation processes on water tree resistance, morphology, crystallinity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)/SEBS and XLPE/SEBS/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends were investigated. The XLPE/SEBS samples were characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, dielectric spectral analysis and the accelerated water treeing experiment. The results clearly showed that although SEBS was partially compatible with LDPE and it was dispersed evenly in XLPE matrix, the blends demonstrated excellent dielectric performances, such as dielectric constant and dissipation factor. The crystallinity of XLPE/SEBS blends was decreased with increase in SEBS content and it was further decreased with the addition of EVA. SEBS could effectively improve the water-tree resistance of XLPE and both SEBS and EVA were found to improve the water tree resistance of XLPE synergistically as expected. The differences in sample preparation processes could change the phase morphology and dielectric performance of the blends, and could also influence the dispersion of SEBS in XLPE matrix as well as the crystallinity of the blends. Different preparation processes led to different water tree resistance behaviours of the samples. The improvement of SEBS dispersion in XLPE matrix helped to improve the water tree resistance of XLPE.