A water-mediated synthesis of Fe3+-substituted Li3YCl6 halide electrolytes from rare earth element (REE) tailings

In this work, Fe 3+ -substituted Li 3 YCl 6 halide electrolytes (Li 3 Y 1- x Fe x Cl 6 ) were prepared through water-mediated synthesis from rare earth element (REE) tailings. The work showed that the surface morphology and electrochemical performance of Li 3 Y 1- x Fe x Cl 6 were changed , featuring a lamellar serrated structure. The electrochemical performance of Li 3 Y 1- x Fe x Cl 6 was evaluated through charge/discharge tests within a voltage range of 0.5–3.5 V. The first charge/discharge capacity of LCO/Li 3 Y 0.75 Fe 0.25 Cl 6 /Gr was 122.7 mAh·g −1 at 0.1 C, and the capacity retention was 80.44 % after the 30th cycle of rate capability test. Cycling performance showed that the capacity of 97 mAh·g −1 after the 60th cycle at 0.1 C. This study suggested that Fe 3+ -substituted Li 3 YCl 6 halide electrolytes (Li 3 Y 1- x Fe x Cl 6 ) from rare earth element (REE) tailings had high potential for reducing raw material costs and resource utilization of REE tailings.