Ballmilling synthesis and electrochemical characterization of ternary lithium nitrides

Lithium (transition) metal nitrides were synthesized by the ballmilling technique. The obtained Li_3-xM_xN (M = Co, Ni, and Cu) compounds exhibit a high electrochemical activity and reversibility. They could act as high capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The average capacity of Li₂₆Co_0.4N sample prepared in N₂ is ca. 880 mAh/g for the first 10 cycles. Li_2.5Ni_0.5N sample has the smallest capacity about 500 mAh/g with slow capacity fade upon cycling. 78% of its second cycle capacity can be retained at the 50th cycle.