Construction of homogeneously Al3+ doped Ni rich Ni-Co-Mn cathode with high stable cycling performance and storage stability via scalable continuous precipitation

Routes to high-performance layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are experiencing a large-scale renaissance to supplement or replace expensive lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and low energy density lead-acid batteries in electrical energy storage systems and other applications. In this case, layered oxide materials have become one of the most popular cathode candidates for SIBs because of their low cost and comparatively facile synthesis method. However, the intrinsic shortcomings of layered oxide cathodes, which severely limit their commercialization process, urgently need to be addressed. In this review, inherent challenges associated with layered oxide cathodes for SIBs, such as their irreversible multiphase transition, poor air stability, and low energy density, are systematically summarized and discussed, together with strategies to overcome these dilemmas through bulk phase modulation, surface/interface modification, functional structure manipulation, and cationic and anionic redox optimization. Emphasis is placed on investigating variations in the chemical composition and structural configuration of layered oxide cathodes and how they affect the electrochemical behavior of the cathodes to illustrate how these issues can be addressed. The summary of failure mechanisms and corresponding modification strategies of layered oxide cathodes presented herein provides a valuable reference for scientific and practical issues related to the development of SIBs.

An effective tellurium surface modification strategy to enhance the capacity and rate capability of Ni-rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material

LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM) layered oxide is contemplated as an auspicious cathode candidate for commercialized lithium-ion batteries. Regardless, the successful commercial utilization of these materials is impeded by technical issues like structural degradation and poor cyclability. Elemental doping is among the most viable strategies for enhancing electrochemical performance. Herein, the preparation of surface tellurium-doped NCM is done by utilizing the methodology solid-state route at high temperatures. Surface doping of the Te ions leads to structural stability owing to the inactivation of oxygen at the surface via the binding of slabs of transition metal-oxygen. Remarkably, 1 wt% of Te doping in NCM exhibits enhanced electrochemical characteristics with an excellent discharge capacity, i.e., 225.8 mAh/g (0.1C), improved rate-capability of 156 mAh/g (5C) with 82.2% retention in capacity (0.5C) over 100 cycles within 2.7-4.3V as compared to all other prepared electrodes. Hence, the optimal doping of Te is favorable for enhancing capacity, cyclability along with rate capability of NCM.

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.

Single-Crystal Nickel-Based Cathodes: Fundamentals and Recent Advances

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) represent the most promising choice for meeting the ever-growing demand of society for various electric applications, such as electric transportation, portable electronics, and grid storage. Nickel-rich layered oxides have largely replaced LiCoO2 in commercial batteries because of their low cost, high energy density, and good reliability. Traditional nickel-based oxide particles, usually called polycrystal materials, are composed of microsized primary particles. However, polycrystal particles tend to suffer from pulverization and severe side reactions along grain boundaries during cycling. These phenomena accelerate cell degradation. Single-crystal materials, which exhibit robust mechanical strength and a high surface area, have great potential to address the challenges that hinder their polycrystal counterparts. A comprehensive understanding of the growing body of research related to single-crystal materials is imperative to improve the performance of cathodes in LIBs. This review highlights origins, recent developments, challenges, and opportunities for single-crystal layered oxide cathodes. The synthesis science behind single-crystal materials and comparative studies between single-crystal and polycrystal materials are discussed in detail. Industrial techniques and facilities are also reviewed in combination with our group’s experiences in single-crystal research. Future development should focus on facile production with strong control of the particle size and distribution, structural defects, and impurities to fully reap the benefits of single-crystal materials.

Graphical abstract

F-Doped Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Material with Improved Rate Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries have received widespread attention due to their large capacity and low cost; however, the structural stability of the material needs to be improved. Herein, F-doped and undoped cathode materials prepared with an advanced co-precipitation method were used to measure the effect of F doping on the material. Compared to the undoped sample, the F-doped cathode materials exhibited an improved rate performance, because the porous structure of F-doped cathode materials is favorable for the infiltration of the electrolyte and the material, and the F-doped cathode material has a larger (003) crystal plane and a smaller Li+ migration barrier energy. This simple F-doping treatment strategy provides a promising way to improve the performance of Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Effects of Oxygen Pressurization on Li+/Ni2+ Cation Mixing and the Oxygen Vacancies of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 Cathode Materials

Ni-rich cathode materials are a low-cost and high-energy density solution for high-power lithium-ion batteries. However, Li⁺/Ni²⁺ cation mixing and oxygen vacancies are inevitably formed during the high-temperature calcination process, resulting in a poor crystal structure that adversely affects the electrochemical performance. In this work, the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ cathode material with a regular crystal structure was prepared through oxygen pressurization during lithiation-calcination, which effectively solved the problems caused by the high calcination temperature, such as oxygen loss and a reduction of Ni³⁺. The co-effect of oxygen pressure and calcination temperature on the properties of Ni-rich materials was systematically explored. Oxygen pressurization increased the redox conversion temperature, thus promoting the oxidation of Ni²⁺ and reducing Li⁺/Ni²⁺ cation mixing. Moreover, due to the strong oxidizing environment provided by the elevated calcination temperature and oxygen pressurization, the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ material synthesized under 0.4 MPa oxygen pressure and a calcination temperature of 775 °C exhibited few oxygen vacancies, which in turn suppressed the formation of microcracks during the electrochemical cycling. An additional feature of the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ material was the small specific surface area of the particles, which reduced both the contact area with the electrolyte and side reactions. As a result, the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ material exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance, with an initial discharge capacity of 191.6 mA h·g^-1 at 0.1 C and a capacity retention of 94.5% at 0.2 C after 100 cycles.

A Synergistic Effect of Na+ and Al3+ Dual Doping on Electrochemical Performance and Structural Stability of LiNi0.88Co0.08Mn0.04O2 Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

The synergistic effect of Na⁺/Al³⁺ dual doping is investigated to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.88Co_0.08Mn_0.04O₂ cathodes for Li-ion batteries. Rietveld refinement and density functional theory calculations confirm that Na⁺/Al³⁺ dual doping changes the lattice parameters of LiNi_0.88Co_0.08Mn_0.04O₂. The changes in the lattice parameters and degree of cation mixing can be alleviated by maintaining the thickness of the LiO₆ slab because the energy of Al-O bonds is higher than that of transition metal (TM)-O bonds. Moreover, Na is an abundant and inexpensive metal, and unlike Al³⁺, Na⁺ can be doped into the Li slab. The ionic radius of Na⁺ (1.02 Å) is larger than that of Li⁺ (0.76 Å); therefore, when Na⁺ is inserted into Li sites, the Li slab expands, indicating that Na⁺ serves as a pillar ion for the Li diffusion pathway. Upon dual doping of the Li and TM sites of Ni-rich Ni_0.88Co_0.08Mn_0.04O₂ (NCM) with Na⁺ and Al³⁺, respectively, the lattice structure of the obtained NNCMA is more ideal than those of bare NCM and Li⁺- and Na⁺-doped NCM (NNCM and NCMA, respectively). This suggests that NNCMA with an ideal lattice structure presents several advantages, namely, excellent structural stability, a low degree of cation mixing, and favorable Li-ion diffusion. Consequently, the rate capability of NNCMA (83.67%, 3 C/0.2 C), which presents favorable Li-ion diffusion because of the expanded Li sites, is higher than those of bare NCM (78.68%), NNCM (81.15%), and NCMA (83.18%). The Rietveld refinement, differential capacity analysis, and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique results indicate that NNCMA exhibits low polarization, favorable Li-ion diffusion, and a low degree of cation mixing; moreover, its phase transition is hindered. Consequently, NNCMA demonstrates a higher capacity retention (84%) than bare NCM (79%), NNCM (82%), and NCMA (82%) after 50 cycles at 1 C. This study provides insight into the fabrication of Ni-rich NCMs with excellent electrochemical performance.

Recycling chains for lithium-ion batteries: A critical examination of current challenges, opportunities and process dependencies

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) show high energy densities and are therefore used in a wide range of applications: from portable electronics to stationary energy storage systems and traction batteries used for e-mobility. Considering the projected increase in global demand for this energy storage technology, driven primarily by growth in e-vehicles, and looking at the criticality of some raw materials used in LIBs, the need for an efficient recycling strategy emerges. In this study, current state-of-the-art technologies for LIB recycling are reviewed and future opportunities and challenges, in particular to recover critical raw materials such as lithium or cobalt, are derived. Special attention is paid to the interrelationships between mechanical or thermal pre-treatment and hydro- or pyrometallurgical post-treatment processes. Thus, the unique approach of the article is to link processes beyond individual stages within the recycling chain. It was shown that influencing the physicochemical properties of intermediate products can lead to reduced recycling rates or even the exclusion of certain process options at the end of the recycling chain. More efforts are needed to improve information and data sharing on the exact composition of feedstock for recycling as well as on the processing history of intermediates to enable closed loop LIB recycling. The technical understanding of the interrelationships between different process combinations, such as pyrolytic or mechanical pre-treatment for LIB deactivation and metal separation, respectively, followed by hydrometallurgical treatment, is of crucial importance to increase recovery rates of cathodic metals such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium, but also of other battery components.

Understanding the Chemical Composition with Doping Aliovalent Ions, Followed by the Electrochemical Behavior for Surface-Modified Ni-Rich NMC Cathode Materials

A comparative study of doping aliovalent ions, Zr- or Al-, into Ni-rich Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O₂ cathode materials is conducted in terms of the electrochemical properties and chemical analysis, especially on the surface region. The solubility and chemical composition for the given sol-gel treatment matches well with the computational results with which the infinitesimal Zr-coating is identified as exhibiting increased charge capacity with prolonged cycle life. Specifically, the whole process can be understood by the suppressed lithium-ion charge transfer resistance (R_CT) during the cycles, which can be facilitated by the decreased NiO formation during the cyclic reactions.

High Cycling Stability of the LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 Cathode via Surface Modification with Polyimide/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Coating

The Ni-rich LiNi_0.8 Co_0.10 Mn_0.1 O₂ (NCM811) cathode coated by combining with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyimide (PI) produces a PI3-NCM811 cathode, which markedly improves cycling stability and suppresses secondary crystal cracking. The initial discharge capacity of the PI3-NCM811 cathode is 199.6 mAh g^-1 between 2.8 and 4.3 V at 0.1 C @ 25 °C, which is slightly lower than that of NCM811 (201.1 mAh g^-1 ). The PI3-NCM811 and NCM811 cathodes keep 90.6% and 64.8% of their initial discharge capacity at 1 C between 2.8 and 4.3 V after 500 cycles, respectively. Furthermore, the difference (21.1%) in capacity retention rate between PI3-NCM811 and NCM811 under the condition of 2.8-4.5 V became smaller compared with the difference (25.8%) under the condition of 2.8-4.3 V. This better cyclic stability is mainly attributed to the toughness and elasticity of PI, which inhibits the secondary cracking, maintains the structural integrity of the cathode particles, and protects the particles from electrolyte damage during long-term cycling.

Rational design of a cobalt sulfide nanoparticle-embedded flexible carbon nanofiber membrane electrocatalyst for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries

Both the sluggish redox kinetics and severe polysulfide shuttling behavior hinders the commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery. To solve these obstacles, we design a cobalt sulfide nanoparticle-embedded flexible carbon nanofiber membrane (denoted as CoS₂@NCF) as sulfiphilic functional interlayer materials. The hierarchically porous structure of carbon nanofiber is conducive to immobilizing sulfur species and facilitating lithium-ion penetration. Moreover, electrocatalytic CoS₂nanoparticles can significantly enhance the catalytic effect, achieving favorable adsorption-diffusion-conversion interface of polysulfide. Combined with these synergistic features, the assembled Li-S cell with CoS₂@NCF interlayer exhibited a great discharge capacity of 950.9 mAh g^-1with prolonged cycle lifespan at 1 C (maintained 648.1 mAh g^-1over 500 cycles). This multifunctional interlayer material used in this contribution provides an advanced route for developing high-energy-density Li-S battery.

Negative Thermal Expansion Material: Promising for Improving Electrochemical Performance and Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Heat and deformation are responsible for poor performance and safety of batteries, but they cannot always be avoided. To address these two issues, ZrW₂O₈, a negative thermal expansion (NTE) material, was adopted to modify LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811) to decline deformation via in situ absorption of the generated heat. The reversible capacity of NCM811 modified with 5 wt % of ZrW₂O₈ can remain at 180.6 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 60 °C and 1.0 C current rate, which increases the retention ratio of NCM811 by 14.8%, while the voltage difference between main redox peaks, R_ct, strain after cycles, and heat from DSC of NCM811 are reduced about 47.8%, 81.0%, 28.2%, and 76.0%, respectively. According to various analysis results, the side reactions are also suppressed, and the enhancing mechanisms of ZrW₂O₈ for NCM811 were discussed. A general strategy is developed for the management of deformation using heat to improve performance and safety of batteries.

Revealing the Role of W-Doping in Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance of the LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 Cathode at 4.5 V

More and more attention has been focused on Ni-rich ternary materials due to their superior specific capacity, but they still suffer inherent structural irreversibility and rapid capacity degradation under a high voltage. Oxidation of unstable oxygen will lead to the irreversible transformation of the structure. Taking into account the strong W-O bond, an appropriate amount of W-doping is studied to reinforce the thermal stability and electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM622) at 4.5 V. Combining experiments and theoretical calculations, it can be found that W-doping is most preferred at Co sites, and the average charge around O in the NiO₆ octahedron becomes more negative after W-doping, which can successfully restrain the release of oxygen, thereby improving the stability of the crystal structure during deep delithiation. In addition, W-doping decreases the energy barrier of the Li⁺ migration slightly and boosts the kinetic diffusion of lithium ions. As a result, NCM622 doped with 0.5% W boasts an outstanding capacity retention of 96.7% at 1 C after 100 cycles and a discharge specific capacity of up to 152.8 mA h g^-1 at 5 C between 3.0 and 4.5 V. Furthermore, analysis of the cycled electrodes indicates that the lattice expansion and the formation of microcracks during long cycling are suppressed after W-doping, thereby elevating the structure and interface stability. Therefore, doping an appropriate amount of W via simple methods is helpful to obtain Ni-rich cathode materials with admirable performance.

A Three in One Strategy to Achieve Zirconium Doping, Boron Doping, and Interfacial Coating for Stable LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode

LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes suffer from severe bulk structural and interfacial degradation during battery operation. To address these issues, a three in one strategy using ZrB2 as the dopant is proposed for constructing a stable Ni-rich cathode. In this strategy, Zr and B are doped into the bulk of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, respectively, which is beneficial to stabilize the crystal structure and mitigate the microcracks. Meanwhile, during the high-temperature calcination, some of the remaining Zr at the surface combined with the surface lithium source to form lithium zirconium coatings, which physically protect the surface and suppress the interfacial phase transition upon cycling. Thus, the 0.2 mol% ZrB2-LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 183.1 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 50 °C (1C, 3.0-4.3 V), with an outstanding capacity retention of 88.1%. The cycling stability improvement is more obvious when the cut-off voltage increased to 4.4 V. Density functional theory confirms that the superior structural stability and excellent thermal stability are attributed to the higher exchange energy of Li/Ni exchange and the higher formation energy of oxygen vacancies by ZrB2 doping. The present work offers a three in one strategy to simultaneously stabilize the crystal structure and surface for the Ni-rich cathode via a facile preparation process.

Stabilization of a Highly Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode through Flower-Petal Grain Arrays

Nickel adds to the capacity of layered oxide cathodes of lithium-ion batteries but comprises their stability. We report a petal-grained Li[Ni_0.89Co_0.10Sb_0.01]O₂ cathode that is, nevertheless, stable. The stability originates from the ordering of the nanosized grains in a dense, flower-petal-like array, where the elongated and nearly parallel grains radiate from the center to the surface. The ordering of the grains prevents microcrack generation from abrupt lattice changes of the stressful H2-H3 phase transition. The tight packing of the nanograins is conserved upon cycling, preventing destructive seepage of the electrolytic solution into the particles. The half-cell, cycling between 2.7-4.3 V versus Li/Li⁺ at a 0.5 C rate retains 95.0% of its initial capacity of 220 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles. The full-cell, cycling with a graphite anode and between 3.0-4.2 V at a 1 C rate, retains 83.9% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles.

Al-doping enables high stability of single-crystalline LiNi0.7Co0.1Mn0.2O2 lithium-ion cathodes at high voltage

LiNi0.7Co0.1Mn0.2O2 (NCM) is a kind of promising cathode material for lithium ion batteries because of its high capacities. However, the further commercialization of this material has been seriously hindered by the unstable structure at a deep de-lithiation state. Herein, it is identified that this drawback can be diminished by Al-doping, which is inherently stable in the lattice framework to restrain the structural collapse of LiNi0.7Co0.1Mn0.2O2 at a high cut-off voltage (4.4 V). As expected, the Al-doped NCM (NCM-0.2Al) material obtains the highest reversible capacity and capacity retention (144.69 mA h g-1, 80.26%) after 90 cycles at 1C. The excellent performance demonstrates that Al-doping can effectively enhance the Li+-ion diffusion kinetic and structural stability of NCM, providing a feasible strategy for the further industrialization of Ni-rich materials.

NCA, NCM811, and the Route to Ni-Richer Lithium-Ion Batteries

The aim of this article is to examine the progress achieved in the recent years on two advanced cathode materials for EV Li-ion batteries, namely Ni-rich layered oxides LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811). Both materials have the common layered (two-dimensional) crystal network isostructural with LiCoO2. The performance of these electrode materials are examined, the mitigation of their drawbacks (i.e., antisite defects, microcracks, surface side reactions) are discussed, together with the prospect on a next generation of Li-ion batteries with Co-free Ni-rich Li-ion batteries.

Surface Modification of the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode Material by Coating with FePO4 with a Yolk-Shell Structure for Improved Electrochemical Performance

Coating with FePO₄ with the size of 20-30 nm on the surface of a LiNi_0.8Co_0.10Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811) cathode produces an LFP3@NCM811 cathode via a sol-gel method, which markedly reduces secondary crystal cracking. A stable particle structure greatly improves the cycling stability of the LFP3@NCM811cathode, which retains 97% of its initial discharge capacity compared to NCM811 (78%) after 100 cycles at 2.7-4.5 V. Furthermore, it retains 86 and 63% of its initial discharge capacity after 400 cycles for LFP3@NCM811 and NCM811, respectively. The initial discharge capacity of the LFP3@NCM811 cathode is 218.8 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C, and the discharge capacity of the LFP3@NCM811 cathode is achieved to be 151.4 mAh g^-1 at 5 C, which is 15 mAh g^-1 higher than that of the NCM811 cathode. These are due to the reduction of cation mixing for a certain amount of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ or PO₄^3- doped into the NCM811 surface, and the yolk-shell structure formed by coating with FePO₄ helps improve the electronic conductivity and accelerate the Li⁺ transport. The cycling stability is mainly due to the secondary cleavage inhibition, which maintains the structural integrity of the cathode particles during the long cycle process and protects the inside of the particle from harmful electrolytes.

Dual Elements Coupling Effect Induced Modification from the Surface into the Bulk Lattice for Ni-Rich Cathodes with Suppressed Capacity and Voltage Decay

Injection of phase transition from a layered to rock-salt phase into the bulk lattice and side reactions on the interfacial usually causes structure degradation, quick capacity/voltage decay, and even thermal instability. Here, a self-formed interfacial protective layer coupled with lattice tuning was constructed for Ni-rich cathodes by simultaneous incorporation of Zr and Al in a one-step calcination. The migration energy between Zr and Al from the surface into the bulk lattice induces dual modifications from the surface into the bulk lattice, which effectively decrease the formation of cation mixing, the degree of anisotropic lattice change, and the generation of microcracks. With the stabilization role provided by the doped Zr-Al ions and protective function endowed by the surface layer, the modified cathode material exhibits significantly enhanced capacity and voltage retention. Specifically, the capacity retention for the modified cathode material reaches 99% after 100 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C in a voltage range of 3.0-4.3 V, which outperformed that for the pristine cathode (70%). The declination values of the average voltage for the modified cathode are only 0.025 and 0.097 V after 100 cycles at 1 C in voltage ranges of 3.0-4.3 and 2.8-4.5 V, respectively, which are much lower than those for the pristine cathode (0.230 and 0.405 V). The synchronous accomplishment of modification from the surface into the bulk lattice for Ni-rich materials with multiple elements in a one-step calcination process would provide some referenced value for the preparation of other cathode materials.

Ambient Air Stable Ni-Rich Layered Oxides Enabled by Hydrophobic Self-Assembled Monolayer

Ni-rich layered oxides, such as LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811), are considered as promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density. However, Ni-rich layered oxides are prone to react with water and carbon dioxide in ambient air forming residual lithium compounds, resulting in deterioration of electrochemical performance and bringing a challenge to the cathode electrode preparation. In this work, we have, for the first time, demonstrated that the chemical stability of the NCM811 material in ambient air can be significantly enhanced by passivating the surface with a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of octadecyl phosphate (OPA). As a result, the degradation reaction between the NCM811 material and ambient air and thus the electrochemical performance deterioration were significantly suppressed during ambient air exposure. Specifically, the 5C-rate capacity retention deterioration of the NCM811 sample during 14-day ambient air exposure has been decreased from 12 to 2% by OPA passivation. Furthermore, the 200-cycle capacity retention deterioration of the NCM811 sample after 7-day ambient air exposure has been improved from 23 to 0.7% by OPA passivation. These results are very important for the practical application of Ni-rich oxide since no need for controlling of humidity is required on the cathode manufacture; thus, the cost can be reduced. The concept of molecular self-assembly on the NCM811 material also open vast possibilities to design reagents for surface passivation of Ni-rich layered oxides.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 with a 3D-SiO2 framework by a new negative pressure immersion method

By an original negative pressure treatment method, a 3D-SiO₂ framework is formed inside LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, which can significantly improve its electrochemical performance.

Voltage fade mitigation in the cationic dominant lithium-rich NCM cathode

In the archetypal lithium-rich cathode compound Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2, a major part of the capacity is contributed from the anionic (O2−/−) reversible redox couple and is accompanied by the transition metal ions migration with a detrimental voltage fade. A better understanding of these mutual interactions demands for a new model that helps to unfold the occurrences of voltage fade in lithium-rich system. Here we present an alternative approach, a cationic reaction dominated lithium-rich material Li1.083Ni0.333Co0.083Mn0.5O2, with reduced lithium content to modify the initial band structure, hence ~80% and ~20% of capacity are contributed by cationic and anionic redox couples, individually. A 400 cycle test with 85% capacity retention depicts the capacity loss mainly arises from the metal ions dissolution. The voltage fade usually from Mn4+/Mn3+ and/or On−/O2− reduction at around 2.5/3.0 V seen in the typical lithium-rich materials is completely eliminated in the cationic dominated cathode material.

High-Rate Structure-Gradient Ni-Rich Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

To simultaneously achieve high compaction density and superior rate performance, a structure-gradient LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathode material composed by a compacted core and an active-plane-exposing shell was designed and synthesized via a secondary co-precipitation method successfully. The tight stacking of primary particles in the core part ensures high compaction density of the material, whereas the exposed active planes, resulting from the stacking of primary nanosheets along the [001] crystal axis predominantly, in the shell region afford enhanced Li⁺ transport. Thus, this structure-gradient Ni-rich cathode material shows a high compaction density with excellent electrochemical performances, especially the rate performance, exhibiting excellent rate capability (160 mA h g^-1 at 10 C), which is 62% larger than that of the pristine material within 2.75-4.3 V (vs Li⁺/Li). Our work proposes a possible strategy for designing and synthesizing layered cathode materials with the required hierarchical structure to meet different application requirements.

Enhanced Cyclability and High-Rate Capability of LiNi0.88Co0.095Mn0.025O2 Cathodes by Homogeneous Al3+ Doping

To suppress capacity fading of nickel-rich materials for lithium-ion batteries, a homogeneous Al³⁺ doping strategy is realized through tailoring the Al³⁺ diffusion path from the bulk surface to interior. Specifically, the layered LiNi_0.88Co_0.095Mn_0.025O₂ cathode with the radial arrangement of primary grains is successfully synthesized through optimization design of precursors. The Al³⁺ follows the radially oriented primary grains into the bulk by introduction of nano-Al₂O₃ during the sintering process, realizing the homogeneous Al³⁺ distribution in the whole material. Particularly, a series of nano-Al₂O₃-modified LiNi_0.88Co_0.095Mn_0.025O₂ are investigated. With the 2% molar weight of Al³⁺ doping, the capacity retention ratio of the cathode is tremendously improved from 52.26 to 91.57% at 1 C rate after 150 cycles. Even at a heavy current density of 5 (&10) C for the LiNi_0.88Co_0.095Mn_0.025O₂-Al_2% cathode, a high reversible capacity of 172.3 (&165.7) mA h g^-1 can be acquired, which amount to the 84.46 (&81.25) % capacity retention at 0.2 C. Moreover, voltage deterioration is significantly suppressed by homogeneous Al³⁺ doping from the results of median voltage and dQ/dV curves. Therefore, homogeneous Al³⁺ doping benefited from the radial arrangement of primary grains provides an effective and practical way to prolong lifespan, as well as improves rate performance and voltage stability of nickel-rich ternary materials.

A Novel Bifunctional Self-Stabilized Strategy Enabling 4.6 V LiCoO2 with Excellent Long-Term Cyclability and High-Rate Capability

Although the theoretical specific capacity of LiCoO2 is as high as 274 mAh g-1, the superior electrochemical performances of LiCoO2 can be barely achieved due to the issues of severe structure destruction and LiCoO2/electrolyte interface side reactions when the upper cutoff voltage exceeds 4.5 V. Here, a bifunctional self-stabilized strategy involving Al+Ti bulk codoping and gradient surface Mg doping is first proposed to synchronously enhance the high-voltage (4.6 V) performances of LiCoO2. The comodified LiCoO2 (CMLCO) shows an initial discharge capacity of 224.9 mAh g-1 and 78% capacity retention after 200 cycles between 3.0 and 4.6 V. Excitingly, the CMLCO also exhibits a specific capacity of up to 142 mAh g-1 even at 10 C. Moreover, the long-term cyclability of CMLCO/mesocarbon microbeads full cells is also enhanced significantly even at high temperature of 60 °C. The synergistic effects of this bifunctional self-stabilized strategy on structural reversibility and interfacial stability are demonstrated by investigating the phase transitions and interface characteristics of cycled LiCoO2. This work will be a milestone breakthrough in the development of high-voltage LiCoO2. It will also present an instructive contribution for resolving the big structural and interfacial challenges in other high-energy-density rechargeable batteries.

Structure and electrochemical performance modulation of a LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material by anion and cation co-doping for lithium ion batteries

Ni-rich layered transition metal oxides show great energy density but suffer poor thermal stability and inferior cycling performance, which limit their practical application. In this work, a minor content of Co and B were co-doped into the crystal of a Ni-rich cathode (LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂) using cobalt acetate and boric acid as dopants. The results analyzed by XRD, TEM, XPS and SEM reveal that the modified sample shows a reduced energy barrier for Li⁺ insertion/extraction and alleviated Li⁺/Ni²⁺ cation mixing. With the doping of B and Co, corresponding enhanced cycle stability was achieved with a high capacity retention of 86.1% at 1.0C after 300 cycles in the range of 2.7 and 4.3 V at 25 °C, which obviously outperformed the pristine cathode (52.9%). When cycled after 300 cycles at 5C, the material exhibits significantly enhanced cycle stability with a capacity retention of 81.9%. This strategy for the enhancement of the electrochemical performance may provide some guiding significance for the practical application of high nickel content cathodes.

Ni-rich layered transition metal oxides show great energy density but suffer poor thermal stability and inferior cycling performance, which limit their practical application.