%0 Journal Article
%K X-ray Diffraction
%K Nuclear magnetic resonance
%K Intercalation compounds
%K Lithium alloys
%K Magnesium alloys
%K Mechanical alloying
%K Silicon alloys
%A Gregory A Roberts
%A Elton J Cairns
%A Jeffrey A Reimer
%B Journal of The Electrochemical Society
%D 2004
%N 4
%P A493-A496
%R 10.1149/1.1649753 
%T Mechanism of Lithium Insertion into Magnesium Silicide
%V 151
%! J. Electrochem. Soc.
%X <p>The reaction mechanism for electrochemical lithium insertion into magnesium silicide was studies by <em>in situ</em> and <em>ex situ</em> X-ray diffraction (XRD). Lithium intercalation during the initial stages of insertion was indicated by a slight shift toward lower angles in the diffraction patterns. Upon further insertion, Li<sub>2</sub>MgSi was formed. This was indicated by the appearance of magnesium peaks, the disappearance of Mg<sub>2</sub>Si peaks, and the appearance of Li<sub>2</sub>MgSi peaks in the diffraction patterns. Magnesium XRD peaks that accumulated during cycling indicated that the formation of Mg<sub>2</sub>Si during lithium removal was not entirely reversible. Li<sub>2</sub>MgSi was synthesized by mechanical alloying. XRD patterns and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the mechanically alloyed and electrochemically produced phases are compared.</p>