Large-scale synthesis of hexagonal corundum-type In2O3 by ball milling with enhanced lithium storage capabilities

Abstract

Hexagonal corundum-type indium oxide (h-In₂O₃) is the structure that normally exists in a high-temperature and pressure environment. This structure has been realised from ambient environment stable cubic indium oxide (c-In₂O₃) using a high-energy ball milling approach at room temperature, in which the rearrangements of InO₆ polyhedral units take place via plastic deformation and large defect creation during the milling process. More interestingly, the high-temperature h-In₂O₃ structure as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries exhibits lithium storage capabilities enhanced by up to 8 times compared to the c-In₂O₃ phase. This study demonstrates an effective ambient environmental approach for the production of high-pressure/temperature structures, h-In₂O₃, which may be extended to explore new phases and novel properties in other oxide systems.