LiFePO 4 and LiMnPO 4 have been characterized using 7 Li and 31 P magic angle spinning ͑MAS͒ nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. LiFePO 4 was synthesized by a hydrothermal route and LiMnPO 4 was synthesized at high temperature in an inert atmosphere. Both compositions give rise to single isotropic 7 Li resonances. The MAS isotropic peak linewidth for LiFePO 4 is considerably larger than that for LiMnPO 4 , suggesting the presence of local disorder in the Li coordination sphere for LiFePO 4 . In both samples, the isotropic peak is accompanied by a large, asymmetric spinning sideband manifold, arising from bulk magnetic susceptibility broadening and the paramagnetic interaction between the lithium nucleus and transition metal unpaired electrons. Recent research has focused on the possibility of using LiFePO 4 as a positive electrode material in lithium rechargeable batteries, especially those intended for transportation applications. Since the first reports of reversible lithium deintercalation from LiFePO 4 , 1,2 several research groups have developed methods of enhancing the electrochemical behavior of this material. Improvements have included coating the LiFePO 4 particles with a conductive carbonaceous layer to enhance utilization, 3,4 preparing the materials at low temperature to promote high surface area and preclude the formation of oxidized Fe 3ϩ impurities, 5 and replacing some of the Fe with Mn to increase the operating voltage at the beginning of discharge.6 Fundamental studies of LiFePO 4 -related materials, however, have been limited; a few research groups have used Mössbauer spectroscopy 6,7 and extended X-ray absorption fine structure ͑EXAFS͒ 8 to determine structural features pertaining to the Fe/Mn site. Magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance ͑MAS NMR͒ spectroscopy is a complementary technique which is very sensitive to the atomic and electronic environment at the lithium site. Successful application of the MAS NMR technique would allow direct observation of Li in the bulk of these interesting materials. NMR studies of electrode materials are, however, often obfuscated by the effects of electronic, ionic, and magnetic properties of these materials. These effects can even preclude quantitative study without the use of specialized NMR techniques. We describe in this paper the direct observation of 7 Li and 31 P MAS NMR in the end members of the Li͑Fe,Mn͒PO 4 series, LiFePO 4 and LiMnPO 4 . This work provides the basis for future detailed NMR studies of the Li͑Fe,Mn͒PO 4 system. We anticipate such studies will elucidate the relationship between local structure and electrochemical properties such as operating voltage, rate capability, and capacity retention. Understanding this relationship will promote rational design of improved olivine-type battery materials.
ExperimentalA modification of the hydrothermal method described by Whittingham et al.5 was used to synthesize LiFePO 4 . A mixture of FeSO 4 •7H 2 O, H 3 PO 4 , and LiOH ͑mole ratios 1:1:3͒ dissolved in water was heated at 120°C i...