Influence of Al doping on the structure and electrochemical performance of the Co-free LiNi0.8Mn0.2O2 cathode material.

The transformation from LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 (NCM) cathodes to Co-free LiNi1-xMnxO2 (NM) cathodes is considered as an effective solution for the electric vehicle (EV) industry to deal with the high cost of cobalt. However, severe Li/Ni disorder, structural instability and poor cycling stability are the main obstacles to their practical application. Al doping has proven to be an effective method to improve the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich NCMs. However, with regard to Ni-rich Co-free NM cathodes, the influence of Al doping on the structural stability and electrochemical performance of NM cathodes is still not clear. In this work, Al doped LiNi0.8Mn0.2-xAlxO2 cathodes are designed and their structural stability and electrochemical performance are investigated by a combination of XRD, SEM, TEM, CV, GITT, cycling testing and EIS techniques. As a result, Al doping can effectively inhibit Li/Ni disorder and improve the structural and thermal stability. In detail, 5% is the optimal doping amount for LiNi0.8Mn0.2O2 cathodes to obtain the best electrochemical performance and the LiNi0.8Mn0.15Al0.05O2 cathode shows an excellent capacity retention of 91.97% after 300 cycles at 3.0-4.3 V. This work provides an effective strategy for the development of Ni-rich Co-free NM cathodes.

Li-Ion Transfer Mechanism of Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Sole Fluoroethylene Carbonate Solvent.

Although gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) represent a promising candidate to address the individual limitations of liquid and solid electrolytes, their extensive development is still hindered due to the veiled Li-ion conduction mechanism. Herein, the related mechanism in GPEs is extensively studied by developing an in situ polymerized GPE comprising fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) solvent and carbonate ester segments (F-GPE). Practically, although with high dielectric constant, FEC fails to effectively transport Li ions when acting as the sole solvent. By sharp contrast, F-GPE demonstrates superior electrochemical performances, and the related Li-ion transfer mechanism is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and 7 Li/6 Li solid-state nNMR spectroscopy. The polymer segments are extended with the swelling of FEC, then an electron-delocalization interface layer is generated between abundant electron-rich groups of FEC and the polymer ingredients, which works as an electron-rich "Milky Way" and facilitates the rapid transfer of Li ions by lowering the diffusion barrier dramatically, resulting in a high conductivity of 2.47 × 10-4  S cm-1 and a small polarization of about 20 mV for Li//Li symmetric cell after 8000 h. Remarkably, FEC provides high flame-retardancy and makes F-GPE remains stable under ignition and puncture tests.

Chloride-Reinforced Solid Polymer Electrolyte for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

Flexible solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) enable intimate contact with the electrode and reduce the interfacial impedance for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). However, the low ionic conductivity and poor mechanical strength restrict the development of SPEs. In this work, the chloride superionic conductor Li2ZrCl6 (LZC) is innovatively introduced into the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based SPE to address these issues since LZC is crucial for improving the ionic conductivity and enhancing the mechanical strength. The as-prepared electrolyte provides a high ionic conductivity of 5.98 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 60 °C and a high Li-ion transference number of 0.44. More importantly, the interaction between LZC and PEO is investigated using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, which is conducive to inhibiting the decomposition of PEO and beneficial to the uniform deposition of Li ions. Therefore, a minor polarization voltage of 30 mV is exhibited for the Li||Li cell after cycling for 1000 h. The LiFePO4||Li ASSLB with 1% LZC-added composite electrolyte (CPE-1% LZC) demonstrates excellent cycling performance with a capacity of 145.4 mA h g-1 after 400 cycles at 0.5 C. This work combines the advantages of chloride and polymer electrolytes, exhibiting great potential in the next generation of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Dual In Situ Polymerization Strategy Endowing Rapid Ion Transfer Capability of Polymer Electrolyte toward Ni-Rich-Based Lithium Metal Batteries.

Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) is one of the most promising candidate electrolyte matrices for high energy batteries. However, the spherical skeleton structure obtained through the conventional method fails to build continuous Li ion transmission channels due to the slow volatilization of high boiling solvent, leading to inferior cycling performance, especially in a Ni-rich system. Herein, a novel strategy is presented to enrich the Li ion transfer paths and improve the Li ion migration kinetics. The tactic is to prepare cross-linked segments through the PVDF-HFP matrix by adopting free radical polymerization and Li salt induced ring-opening polymerization. Most significantly, the visualization of the structure of as-prepared electrolyte is innovatively realized with the combination of polarization microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy, PVDF-HFP, and cross-linked network form interconnected microstructures. Therefore, poly(glycidyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile)@poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) electrolyte presents a high ionic conductivity (1.04 mS cm-1 at 30 °C) and a stable voltage profile for a Li/Li cell after 1200 h. After assembly with a LiNi0.8 Co0.15 Al0.05 O2 cathode, a high discharge specific capacity of 190.3 mAh g-1 is delivered, and the capacity retention reaches 88.2% after 100 cycles. This work provides a promising method for designing high-performance polymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries.

Hierarchical Sulfide-Rich Modification Layer on SiO/C Anode for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Batteries.

The silicon oxide/graphite (SiO/C) composite anode represents one of the promising candidates for next generation Li-ion batteries over 400 Wh kg-1 . However, the rapid capacity decay and potential safety risks at low temperature restrict their widely practical applications. Herein, the fabrication of sulfide-rich solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on surface of SiO/C anode to boost the reversible Li-storage performance at low temperature is reported. Different from the traditional SEI layer, the present modification layer is composed of inorganic-organic hybrid components with three continuous layers as disclosed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The result shows that ROSO2 Li, ROCO2 Li, and LiF uniformly distribute over different layers. When coupled with LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 cathode, the capacity retention achieves 73% at -20 °C. The first principle calculations demonstrate that the gradient adsorption of sulfide-rich surface layer and traditional intermediate layer can promote the desolvation of Li+ at low temperature. Meanwhile, the inner LiF-rich layer with rapid ionic diffusion capability can inhibit dendrite growth. These results offer new perspective of developing advanced SiO/C anode and low-temperature Li-ion batteries.

Boosting the Electrochemical Performance of a Spinel Cathode with the In Situ Transformed Allogenic Li-Rich Layered Phase.

High-voltage spinel materials have attracted widespread attention because of their advantages such as good rate performance, low cost, abundant source, and easy preparation. However, the Mn dissolution and Jahn-Teller effect of spinel materials during cycling limit their practical application. In this paper, the allogenic composites (1 - x)Li(Ni0.2Co0.1Mn0.7)2 O4·xLi1.2(Ni0.2Co0.1Mn0.7)0.8O2 (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) are developed by the carbonate co-precipitation method combined with the high-temperature sintering method, which are certified by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. The results show that the lithium-rich phase of the allogenic composites can effectively improve the initial discharge capacity, alleviate the side reaction between the spinel material and the electrolyte, and improve the cycle stability. This work reveals the relationship between the structure and electrochemical performance of the in situ transformed spinel@Li-rich allogenic composites and provide a new clue to design a high-performance spinel cathode for advanced Li-ion batteries.

Growth of lithium-indium dendrites in all-solid-state lithium-based batteries with sulfide electrolytes.

All-solid-state lithium-based batteries with inorganic solid electrolytes are considered a viable option for electrochemical energy storage applications. However, the application of lithium metal is hindered by issues associated with the growth of mossy and dendritic Li morphologies upon prolonged cell cycling and undesired reactions at the electrode/solid electrolyte interface. In this context, alloy materials such as lithium-indium (Li-In) alloys are widely used at the laboratory scale because of their (electro)chemical stability, although no in-depth investigations on their morphological stability have been reported yet. In this work, we report the growth of Li-In dendritic structures when the alloy material is used in combination with a Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte and Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 positive electrode active material and cycled at high currents (e.g., 3.8 mA cm-2) and high cathode loading (e.g., 4 mAh cm-2). Via ex situ measurements and simulations, we demonstrate that the irregular growth of Li-In dendrites leads to cell short circuits after room-temperature long-term cycling. Furthermore, the difference between Li and Li-In dendrites is investigated and discussed to demonstrate the distinct type of dendrite morphology.

Tailoring 3D Carbon Foam using CNTs and MnO2 to Fabricate Stable Lithium/Dissolved Lithium Polysulfide Batteries.

The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is an ideal electrochemical energy storage system owing to the high theoretical energy density and acceptable cost of finance and the environment. However, some disadvantages, including low electrical conductivity, poor sulfur utilization, and rapid capacity fading, obstruct its practical application. In this work, 3D carbon foam from a melamine resin is synthesized via high-temperature calcination. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MnO2 are utilized to tailor the properties of the 3D cathode collector in the liquid Li2S6-containing Li-S battery without additional conductive agents, binders, and aluminum foil. Herein, the decorated MnO2 on the carbon fiber foam prolongs the lifespan of the Li-S battery, and adding CNTs is beneficial to enhance the capacity and cyclic performance of the Li-S battery under high sulfur loading. The Li-S battery with a sulfur loading of 3 mg cm-2 possesses a reversible capacity of 437.9 mA h g-1 after 400 cycles at 0.1 C. The capacity could be maintained at 568 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C after 80 cycles when the sulfur loading increases to 6 mg cm-2.

Structure of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from COVID-19 virus.

A novel coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] outbreak has caused a global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, resulting in tens of thousands of infections and thousands of deaths worldwide. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [(RdRp), also named nsp12] is the central component of coronaviral replication and transcription machinery, and it appears to be a primary target for the antiviral drug remdesivir. We report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of COVID-19 virus full-length nsp12 in complex with cofactors nsp7 and nsp8 at 2.9-angstrom resolution. In addition to the conserved architecture of the polymerase core of the viral polymerase family, nsp12 possesses a newly identified ß-hairpin domain at its N terminus. A comparative analysis model shows how remdesivir binds to this polymerase. The structure provides a basis for the design of new antiviral therapeutics that target viral RdRp.

Delicate structural coordination of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus Nsp13 upon ATP hydrolysis.

To date, an effective therapeutic treatment that confers strong attenuation toward coronaviruses (CoVs) remains elusive. Of all the potential drug targets, the helicase of CoVs is considered to be one of the most important. Here, we first present the structure of the full-length Nsp13 helicase of SARS-CoV (SARS-Nsp13) and investigate the structural coordination of its five domains and how these contribute to its translocation and unwinding activity. A translocation model is proposed for the Upf1-like helicase members according to three different structural conditions in solution characterized through H/D exchange assay, including substrate state (SARS-Nsp13-dsDNA bound with AMPPNP), transition state (bound with ADP-AlF4-) and product state (bound with ADP). We observed that the ß19-ß20 loop on the 1A domain is involved in unwinding process directly. Furthermore, we have shown that the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), SARS-Nsp12, can enhance the helicase activity of SARS-Nsp13 through interacting with it directly. The interacting regions were identified and can be considered common across CoVs, which provides new insights into the Replication and Transcription Complex (RTC) of CoVs.

A high energy-density P2-Na2/3[Ni0.3Co0.1Mn0.6]O2 cathode with mitigated P2-O2 transition for sodium-ion batteries.

High voltage P2-Na2/3[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is regarded as a promising cathode for high-energy sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the undesired P2-O2 phase transition at high voltages above 4.0 V leads to a large volume change and further causes the rapid decay of capacity. Herein, an electrochemical-active Co3+ substitution is introduced to suppress the P2-O2 phase transformation but not at the cost of capacity. The spherical, Co3+ substituted P2-Na2/3[Ni0.3Co0.1Mn0.6]O2 with a high tap-density of 1.86 g cm-3 is successfully synthesized by co-precipitation and solid-state reactions. As anticipated, it delivers a large specific capacity of 161.6 mA h g-1 with a high median-voltage of 3.64 V (vs. Na/Na+), translated into a high energy-density of ∼590 W h kg-1, which is comparable to that of the commercialized LiCoO2 cathode in lithium-ion batteries. Apart from improved cycling stability ascribed to the mitigated P2-O2 transition, this cathode also shows a better rate property compared with those modified by Li+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ti4+ doping and Al2O3 coating. Besides, the P2-Na2/3[Ni0.3Co0.1Mn0.6]O2|hard carbon full-cells deliver a reversible capacity of 150.6 mA h g-1 and have enhanced cycle-life and high-rate capability. These gratifying achievements indicate that this P2-Na2/3[Ni0.3Co0.1Mn0.6]O2 is a very promising candidate as a high energy-density cathode for SIBs.

Influence of Ni/Mn distributions on the structure and electrochemical properties of Ni-rich cathode materials.

To reveal the influence of element distribution on the structure and electrochemical performances of Ni-rich layered cathode materials, LiNi0.68Co0.13Mn0.19O2 (NCM) with four types of Ni/Mn distributions (homogeneous, core-shell, multi-shell and concentration-gradient structures) is designed and synthesized with a combination of co-precipitation and high-temperature solid-state method. Ni/Mn distributions of the as-prepared NCM cathode materials are investigated with focused ion beam (FIB) and energy disperse X-ray spectrum (EDS) line scanning on the cross-section of single particles, which illustrate that NCM materials with the desired Ni/Mn distributions are successfully prepared. For the three spherical heterogeneous NCM materials, the center is the Ni-rich component while the surface is the Mn-rich component. Ni/Mn distributions between the center and surface components are in different forms. Studies imply that the heterogeneous samples exhibit smaller cation disordering, lower charge transfer resistance, higher Li+ diffusion coefficient and higher structural stability than the homogeneous one. Therefore, the heterogeneous samples, especially the multi-shell and concentration-gradient ones, display improved cycling and thermal stability compared to the homogeneous one. These results manifest that multi-shell and concentration-gradient structures are effective strategies to modify the layered NCM cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Endoribonuclease Nsp15 Encoded by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Nonstructural protein 15 (Nsp15) encoded by coronavirus (CoV) is a nidoviral uridylate-specific endoribonuclease (NendoU) that plays an essential role in the life cycle of the virus. Structural information on this crucial protein from the Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), which is lethally pathogenic and has caused severe respiratory diseases worldwide, is lacking. Here, we determined the crystal structure of MERS-CoV Nsp15 at a 2.7-Å resolution and performed the relevant biochemical assays to study how NendoU activity is regulated. Although the overall structure is conserved, MERS-CoV Nsp15 shows unique and novel features compared to its homologs. Serine substitution of residue F285, which harbors an aromatic side chain that disturbs RNA binding compared with that of other homologs, increases catalytic activity. Mutations of residues residing on the oligomerization interfaces that distort hexamerization, namely, N38A, Y58A, and N157A, decrease thermostability, decrease affinity of binding with RNA, and reduce the NendoU activity of Nsp15. In contrast, mutant D39A exhibits increased activity and a higher substrate binding capacity. Importantly, Nsp8 was found to interact with both monomeric and hexameric Nsp15. The Nsp7/Nsp8 complex displays a higher binding affinity for Nsp15. Furthermore, Nsp8 and the Nsp7/Nsp8 complex also enhance the NendoU activity of hexameric Nsp15 in vitro Taking the findings together, this work first provides evidence on how the activity of Nsp15 may be functionally mediated by catalytic residues, oligomeric assembly, RNA binding efficiency, or the possible association with other nonstructural proteins.IMPORTANCE The lethally pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pose serious threats to humans. Endoribonuclease Nsp15 encoded by coronavirus plays an important role in viral infection and pathogenesis. This study determines the structure of MERS-CoV Nsp15 and demonstrates how the catalytic activity of this protein is potentially mediated, thereby providing structural and functional evidence for developing antiviral drugs. We also hypothesize that the primase-like protein Nsp8 and the Nsp7/Nsp8 complex may interact with Nsp15 and affect enzymatic activity. This contributes to the understanding of the association of Nsp15 with the viral replication and transcription machinery.

Unravelling the Structure and Electrochemical Performance of Li-Cr-Mn-O Cathodes: From Spinel to Layered.

To explore a new series of cathode materials with high electrochemical performance, the spinel-layered (1 - x)[LiCrMnO4]· x[Li2MnO3·LiCrO2] ( x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) composites are synthesized with the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Raman spectra reveal that the structure of the (1 - x)[LiCrMnO4]· x[Li2MnO3·LiCrO2] cathode materials evolves from spinel to hybrid spinel-layered and layered structures with the increase of the Li concentration. Test results reveal that the structure and electrochemical performance of (1 - x)[LiCrMnO4]· x[Li2MnO3·LiCrO2] ( x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75) composites have the characteristics of both spinel ( x = 0) and Li-rich layered phases ( x = 1). In particular, x = 0.5 and 0.75 electrodes exhibit relatively high capacity retention and rate capability, which is mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of the spinel and Li-rich layered phases, the 3D Li-ion diffusion channels of the spinel phase, and the low charge-transfer resistance ( Rct) and Warburg diffusion impedance ( Wo).

Improved Performances of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 Material Employing NaAlO2 as a New Aluminum Source.

To prepare a high-performance LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 material (LNCA) for Li-ion batteries, a new aluminum source, NaAlO2, is employed in the coprecipitation step for the first time, and the effect of aluminum sources on the performances is systematically investigated. Different from the traditional preparation process using Al(NO3)3 as the aluminum source, the preparation process of the Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05(OH)2.05 precursor from NaAlO2 is a hydrolysis process, during which the fast precipitation of Al3+ and the formation of a flocculent precipitate can be effectively avoided. As expected, stoichiometric LNCA with uniform element distribution, low cation mixing and well-ordered layered structure is obtained from NaAlO2, which is designed as LNCA-NaAlO2. The characterization and electrochemical measurements show that LNCA-NaAlO2 exhibits significantly improved performances (such as tap density, initial discharge capacity and volumetric energy density, rate performance, cycle performance, electrochemical stability, microstructure stability, and storage stability) compared to the performances of those prepared from Al(NO3)3 (LNCA-Al(NO3)3), indicating that it is an effective strategy to preparing high-performance LNCA employing NaAlO2 as the aluminum source.

Stabilizing the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 through Tailoring Aluminum Distribution in Microspheres as Long-Life, High-Rate, and Safe Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The unstable electrode/electrolyte interface of high-capacity LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) cathodes, especially at a highly delithiated state, usually leads to the transformation of layered to spinel and/or rock-salt phases, resulting in drastic capacity fade and poor thermal stability. Herein, the Al-increased and Ni-,Co-decreased electrode surface is fabricated through tailoring element distribution in micrometer-sized spherical NCA secondary particles via coprecipitation and solid-state reactions, aimed at stabilizing the electrode/electrolyte interface during continuous cycles. As expected, it shows much extended cycle life, 93.6% capacity retention within 100 cycles, compared with that of 78.5% for the normal NCA. It also delivers large reversible capacity of about 140 mAh g-1 even at 20 C, corresponding to energy density of around 480 Wh kg-1, which is enhanced by 45% compared to that of the normal NCA (about 330 Wh kg-1). Besides, the delayed heat emission temperature and reduced heat generation mean remarkably improved thermal stability. These foregoing improvements are ascribed to the Al-increased spherical secondary particle surface that stabilizes the electrode/electrolyte interface by protecting inner components from directly contacting with electrolyte and suppressing the side reaction on electrode surface between high oxidizing Ni4+ and electrolyte.

Understanding the Origin of Enhanced Performances in Core-Shell and Concentration-Gradient Layered Oxide Cathode Materials.

Core-shell and concentration-gradient layered oxide cathode materials deliver superior electrochemical properties such as long cycle life and outstanding thermal stability. However, the origin of enhanced performance is not clear and seldom investigated until now. Here, a specific structured layered oxide (LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2) consisting of concentration-gradient core, transition layer, and stable outer shell, is designed and achieved from double-shelled precursors to overcome the great challenge by comparison with the normal layered LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2. As expected, the specific structured layered oxide displays excellent cycle life and thermal stability. After numerous cycles, the valence state of Ni and Co at normal layered oxide surface tends to a higher oxidation state than that of the specific structured oxide, and the spinel phase is observed on particle surface of normal layered oxide. Also, the deficient spinel/layered mixed phases lead to high surface film and charge-transfer resistance for normal layered oxide, whereas the specific structured one still remains a layered structure. Those results first illustrate the origin of improved electrochemical performance of layered core-shell and concentration-gradient cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

A stable Li-deficient oxide as high-performance cathode for advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Monodisperse Li-deficient Li(0.35)Ni(0.2)Co(0.1)Mn(0.7)O(2-x) spinel single crystals have been prepared for the first time. The Li-deficient oxide surprisingly delivers large reversible capacity (251.3 mA h g(-1)), outstanding cycle life and low median-voltage of 2.7 V in the range of 2.0-4.9 V. Importantly, high median-voltage (4.4 V) and superior rate capability are also obtained from 3.0 to 5.0 V. These results indicate that high-energy or high-power density can be achieved by controlling discharge cut-off voltage.

Effects on electrochemical performances for host material caused by structure change of modifying material.

High ionic conductive lithium niobium oxides were selected as the modifying material to investigate the effects on the electrochemical performances for host material LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 caused by the structure change of the modifying material at various calcination temperatures and modifying amounts. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed that the structure of the modifying material was single LiNbO3 phase after being calcined at 500 °C and changed to LiNbO3-Li3NbO4 mixture phases at 600 and 700 °C, and further changed to single Li3NbO4 phase at 800 °C. Electrochemical tests displayed that both LiNbO3 and Li3NbO4 phases of modifying material could contribute to the improvement of the cycle performances for the host material, but the improvement degree of Li3NbO4 phase was more evident. The cycle performances and high rate performances of the modified host material (calcined at 700 °C) electrodes were improved with the right modifying amount.

Spinel-to-CaFe2O4-type structural transformation in LiMn2O4 under high pressure.

A new form of LiMn2O4 is reported. The structure is the CaFe2O4-type and 6% denser than the spinel. The structure transformation was achieved by heating at 6 GPa. Analysis of the neutron diffraction pattern confirmed an average of the structure; the unit cell was orthorhombic at a = 8.8336(5) angstroms, b = 2.83387(18) angstroms, and c = 10.6535(7) angstroms (Pnma). Electron diffraction patterns indicated an order of superstructure 3a x b x c, which might be initiated by Li vacancies. The exact composition is estimated at Li(0.92)Mn2O4 from the structure analysis and quantity of intercalated Li. The polycrystalline CaFe2O4-type compound showed semiconducting-like characters over the studied range above 5 K. The activation energy was reduced to approximately 0.27 eV from approximately 0.40 eV at the spinel form, suggesting a possible enhancement of hopping mobility. Magnetic and specific-heat data indicated a magnetically glassy transition at approximately 10 K. As the CaFe2O4-type transition was observed for the mineral MgAl2O4, hence the new form of the lithium manganese oxide would provide valuable opportunities to study not only the magnetism of strongly correlated electrons but also the thermodynamics of the phase transition in the mantle.