Zirconium Transition Metal (Poly)antimonides – Syntheses, Characterization and Electrochemical Properties

Fachgebiet Synthese und Charakterisierung innovativer Materialien, Lehrstuhl für Technische Elektrochemie, Technische Universität München, Department Chemie, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching

Herein we report on the syntheses, crystal structures and first electrochemical characterizations of ternary zirconium transition metal (poly)antimonides Zr₂TSb₃ (with T = Cu, Pd) and Zr₃TSb₇ (with T = Ni, Pd). The compounds were synthesized by arc-melting, followed by an annealing procedure at elevated temperatures. Phase analysis and structure analysis were performed by powder and single-crystal measurements. The electrochemical properties of all compounds were measured in half cells against lithium to test their potential as anode materials for Li batteries. The Zr₃TSb₇ phases show metallic behavior with conductivities of 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹ within a temperature range of 324 to 428 K.