Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.58, No.15, 9964-9973, 2019
Thermal Evolution and Phase Transitions in Electrochemically Activated Sc-2(MoO4)(3)
Sc-2(MoO4)(3) shows negative thermal expansion (NTE) properties between -93 and +750 degrees C. Recently, electrochemical activation has been demonstrated to dramatically alter the phase evolution of structurally analogous Sc-2(WO4)(3). Electrochemical activation involves placing the material of choice in an electrochemical cell with Li, Na or K counter electrodes and discharging (or reacting Li+, Na+ and K+) which is followed by extraction of the activated electrode and subsequent thermal treatment. Here such a process is applied to Sc-2(MoO4)(3) and the results compared with the evolution of Sc-2(WO4)(3). For 12.5% lithium discharged Sc-2(MoO4)(3) (12.5% of fully discharge capacity) the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) below 425 degrees C is -13.83(1) x 10(-6) /degrees C which is larger than parent material, and a new Li(x)MoO(2 )phase forms at about 425 degrees C. The 25% lithium discharged Sc-2(MoO4)(3) shows the formation of a new Li2MoO4 phase after discharging (electrochemical-based structural change) and on subsequent heat treatment the electrode mix transforms to Li3ScMo3O12. Interestingly, a range of new phases at various temperatures in the sodium and potassium discharged samples appear during heat treatment. For example, Na0.9Mo2O4 forms during thermal treatment of the 50% sodium discharged Sc-2(MoO4)(3) while KMo4O6 and K2MoO4 form with thermal treatment of 100% potassium discharged Sc-2(MoO4)(3). This work showcases the rich diversity in the phases that can be accessed during and post thermal treatment of Li, Na, and K discharged Sc-2(MoO4)(3) electrodes.