Although defects may occur at low concentrations, they can still have very large influences on the properties of materials. Neutron and X-ray scattering have been used to investigate a number of important energy materials in which important differences occur between the local and long-range structure. We have determined that the mechanism of Ni substitution into InTaO4 is different than previously thought, forcing its suitability for visible light driven water splitting to be reassessed.The olivine battery material LiFePO4 is believed to have fast Li-ion conduction along 1D channels; the role of antisite defects (Fe on Li sites) in blocking this conduction has been studied in single crystal samples grown in our group. The solid solution between wurtzite GaN and ZnO has been previously demonstrated to be highly active in solar water splitting; experimental evidence for non-stoichiometry and defects that may influence activity will be discussed. More recent results in water splitting and battery materials will be presented as time permits.
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