First principle study of LiXS_2（X=Ga, In） as cathode materials for Li ion batteries

From first principle calculations, we demonstrate that LiXS_2（X = Ga, In） compounds have potential applications as cathode materials for Li ion batteries. It is shown that Li can be extracted from the LiXS_2 lattice with relatively small volume change and the XS_4 tetrahedron structure framework remains stable upon delithiation. The theoretical capacity and average intercalation potential of the LiGaS_2（LiInS_2） cathode are 190.4（144._2） m Ah/g and 3.50 V（3.53 V）. The electronic structures of the LiXS_2 are insulating with band gaps of _2.88 eV and 1.99 eV for X = Ga and In, respectively.However, Li vacancies, which are formed through delithiation, change the electronic structure substantially from insulating to metallic structure, indicating that the electrical conductivities of the LiXS_2 compounds should be good during cycling.Li ion migration energy barriers are also calculated, and the results show that Li ion diffusions in the LiXS_2 compounds can be as good as those in the currently widely used electrode materials.