The Zr 5 Sn 3 intermetallic compound has been studied as a possible anode material for lithium-and magnesium-ion batteries. The Zr 5 Sn 3 Li x electrodes provide a reversible specific capacity of 160-140 mAh g −1 , whereas Zr 5 Sn 3 Mg x electrodes yield a slightly lower capacity of 110-95 mAh g − 1 . The lithiation and magnesiation of Zr 5 Sn 3 were investigated by means of X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, microprobe analyses, and electrochemical measurements. The electrochemical lithiation and magnesiation occurs in two stages, the first is the insertion of Li/Mg into structural voids, and the second stage is the decomposition of the hexagonal phase into new phases and substitution of tin atoms by Li/Mg.

The binary phases Ti 5 M 3 , Ti 3 M and Zr 3 M (M = Sn, Sb) were studied for electrochemical lithiation, using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The investigation showed that the morphology of the cathode and the anode surfaces undergo changes, and the grain size of the materials decreases. The phase analysis of the anode materials revealed that the Ti 5 Sn 3 (structure type Mn 5 Si 3 ) and Ti 3 Sn (structure type Mg 3 Cd) phases form solid solutions by insertion of Li atoms into the initial structure. The insertion is reversible. The phases Ti 5 Sb 3 (structure type Y 5 Bi 3 ), Ti 3 Sb, Zr 3 Sn (structure type Cr 3 Si), and Zr 3 Sb (structure type Ni 3 P) form solid solutions by substitution of Li for Sn or Sb atoms. Only the Zr 3 Sb phase showed weakly reversible substitution. Among the investigated compounds, the most suitable structure types for intercalation of lithium appeared to be the Mn 5 Si 3 -and Mg 3 Cd-types, where the Li atoms occupy octahedral voids. The intermetallic compounds containing tin showed better ability for electrochemical lithiation than the compounds containing antimony. This can be explained by the easier interaction of antimony and lithium with the formation of binary compounds. Intermetallic compound / Electrochemical lithiation / Li-ion battery

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