Synthesis and electrochemical performance of LiNi0.475Mn0.475Al0.05O2 as cathode material for lithium-ion battery from Ni–Mn–Al–O precursor

Interpretable Machine Learning To Accelerate the Analysis of Doping Effect on Li/Ni Exchange in Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes

In Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes, one effective way to adjust the performance is by introducing dopants to change the degree of Li/Ni exchange. We calculated the formation energy of Li/Ni exchange defects in LiNi0.8Mn0.1X0.1O2 with different doping elements X, using first-principles calculations. We then proposed an interpretable machine learning method combining the Random Forest (RF) model and the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) analysis to accelerate identification of the key factors influencing the formation energy among the complex variables introduced by doping. The valence state of the doping element effectively regulates Li/Ni exchange defects through changing the valence state of Ni and the strength of the superexchange interaction, and COOPSU-SD and MagO were proposed as two indicators to assess superexchange interaction. The volume change also affects the Li/Ni exchange defects, with a larger volume reduction corresponding to fewer Li/Ni exchange defects.

Dual Substitution Strategy in Co-Free Layered Cathode Materials for Superior Lithium Ion Batteries

A dual substitution strategy is introduced to Co-free layered material LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ by partially replacing Li and Ni with Na and Al, respectively, to achieve a superior cathode material for lithium ion batteries. Na⁺ ion functions as a "pillar" and a " cationic barrier" in the lithium layer while Al³⁺ ion plays an auxiliary role in stabilizing structure and lattice oxygen to improve the electrochemical performance and safety. The stability of lattice oxygen comes from the binding energy between the Ni and O, which is larger due to higher valences of Ni ions, along with a stronger Al-O bond in the crystal structure and the "cationic barrier" effect of Na⁺ ion at the high-charge. The more stable lattice oxygen reduces the cation disorder in cycling, and Na⁺ in the Li layer squeezes the pathway of the transition metal from the LiM₂ (M = metal) layer to the Li layer, stabilizing the layered crystal structure by inhibiting the electrochemical-driven cation disorder. Moreover, the cathode with Na-Al dual-substitution displays a smaller volume change, yielding a more stable structure. This study unravels the influence of Na-Al dual-substitution on the discharge capacity, midpoint potential, and cyclic stability of Co-free layered cathode materials, which is crucial for the development of lithium ion batteries.