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Results of theoretical calculations are reported, examining the effect of a coherent twin boundary on the electrical properties of LiCoO(2) . This study suggests that internal interfaces in LiCoO(2) strongly affect the battery voltage, battery capacity, and power density of this material, which is of particular concern if it is used in all-solid-state Li-ion batteries.

We report on atomic ordering of B-site transition-metals and magnetic properties of epitaxial La2CrFeO6 double-perovskite films grown by pulsed-laser deposition under various conditions. The highest ordered sample exhibited a fraction of antisite-disorder of only 0.05 and a saturation magnetization of ~2\mu_{B} per formula unit at 5 K. The result is consistent with the antiferromagnetic ordering of local spin moment (3d^{3}_{\downarrow}3d^{5}_{\uparrow}; S = -3/2+5/2 = 1). Therefore, the magnetic ground state of La2CrFeO6 double-perovskite that has been long debate is unambiguously revealed to be ferrimagnetic. Our results present a wide opportunity to explore novel magnetic properties of binary transition-metal perovskites upon epitaxial stabilization of the ordered phase.

The direct observation of light elements such as Li is a challenge even for state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques because such elements scatter electrons only weakly. Using the annular bright field scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging technique, we have simultaneously visualized columns of Li, O, and Co ions in the lithium-ion battery cathode material LiCoO2, which is one of the most important cathode materials for industrial applications. The annular bright field image exhibits a good signal-to-noise ratio and the image contrast is not reversed as the specimen thickness changes. The direct visualization of light elements in real time with this method represents an important breakthrough in characterizing the active materials in solid-state electrochemical devices.