Ball-milling synthesis and electrochemical study of lithium (transition) metal nitrides

Lithium (transition) metal nitrides were synthesized by high-energy ball-milling technique. The obtained samples exhibit high electrochemical activity and reversibility. The average capacity of Li_2.6Co_0.4N samples is ca 880 mAh·g^-1 within the first 10 cycles. Li_2.6Co_0.2Cu_0.2N sample has a capacity about 750 mAh · g^-1 after the first several cycles. 80% of its second cycle capacity can be retained at the 45th cycle. Li_2.6Co_0.2Fe_0.2N sample is a mixture of two or more phases including Li_2.6Co_0.4N. It has a capacity about 560 mAh · g^-1 at the 40th cycle, 82% of its second cycle capacity. Good cycling performance suggests that these compounds could be promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries.