THE STRUCTURE OF LOW-TEMPERATURE CRYSTALLIZED LICOO2

The LiCoO2 phase has been synthesized by a solution technique at a tem perature as low as 300 degrees C within a few days or after very short times at 400 degrees C. The phase exhibits electrochemical properties different from those observed in the material obtained by conventiona l synthesis at higher temperature. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and L i MAS-NMR show that both Li and Co occupy octahedral sites similar to the classical structure. EXAFS spectroscopy and High Resolution Transm ission Electronic Microscopy (HRTEM) indicate a disordering of the Co and Li planes resulting in a cubic NaCl-type structure associated to a distribution of Co and Li among the octahedral sites of a cubic-close -packed array of oxygen.