On “Really” Stoichiometric LiCoO[sub 2]

Abstract
The NMR spin-lattice relaxation time is shown to be a very stringent criterion for determining the stoichiometry of . When containing a minimum impurity level of paramagnetic ions such as Fe or Ni is used as the starting material (together with ), a value as long as is obtained, but this requires a rather long thermal treatment for complete elimination of excess Li. Such highly stoichiometric exhibits a very early insulator to metal transition upon Li deintercalation. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat capacity investigations show the exclusive presence of diamagnetic low-spin (LS) .