Abstract
This thesis has focused on the exploration of new compounds based on 3d-metal and carboxylate polyanions (oxalates, malonates and carbonates) prepared through different sustainable synthetic approaches. In the first part, we report a new synthetic route to prepare the iron (III) oxalate compound (Fe2(C2O4)3·4H2O) and solve its crystal structure through combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. The compound crystallizes within a triclinic cell (P-1) and exhibits attractive electrochemical properties (98 mAh/g at 3.35 V vs. Li+/Li0). Motivated by this finding we pursued our quest for new positive electrode materials. We prepared by hydrothermal synthesis single crystals of sodium 3d-metal oxalates Na2M2(C2O4)3·2H2O, which are widely investigated in the literature for their magnetic properties. Unfortunately, these phases are electrochemically inactive versus lithium. Thereafter, we extended the synthesis towards the malonate family and we reported for the first time several members (Na2M(H2C3O4)2·nH2O (n= 0, 2), M= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn et Mg). These systems present rich crystal chemistry together with interesting antiferromagnetic properties but as in the case of the oxalates, they are not electrochemically active versus lithium. Finally, we synthesized two members of fluorocarbonates compounds KMCO3F (M= Ca and Mn) using solid state process. We succeeded in the preparation of the calcium member, already reported in the literature and we identified for the first time a phase transition at 320°C. The crystal structure of the high temperature phase (KCaCO3F-HT) was solved using neutron powder diffraction. A new manganese phase (KMnCO3F) was synthesized using the same technique and its crystal structure was solved by combining TEM, XR and neutrons powder diffraction techniques. This compound crystallizes within a hexagonal unit cell (P -6 c 2)