Integrating a Ferroelectric Interface with a Well-Tuned Electronic Structure in Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Li-rich layered oxides (LLOs) are considered promising candidates for new high-energy-density cathode materials for next-generation power batteries. However, their large-scale applications are largely hindered by irreversible Li/O loss, structural degradation, and interfacial side reactions during cycling. Herein, we demonstrate an integration strategy that tunes the electronic structure by La/Al codoping and constructs a ferroelectric interface on the LLOs surface through Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) coating. Experimental characterization reveals that the synergistic effect of the ferroelectric interface and the well-tuned electronic structure can not only promote the diffusion of Li+ and hinder the migration of On- but also suppress the lattice volume changes and reduce interfacial side reactions at high voltages up to 4.9 V vs Li+/Li. As a result, the modified material shows enhanced initial capacities and retention rates of 224.4 mAh g-1 and 78.57% after 500 cycles at 2.0-4.65 V and 231.7 mAh g(-1) and 85.76% after 200 cycles at 2.0-4.9 V at 1C, respectively.

Automated summary

Through La/Al codoping and Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) coating, the electronic structure of LLOs is tuned and a ferroelectric interface is constructed on their surface. The synergistic effect of the ferroelectric interface and the well-tuned electronic structure not only promotes Li+ diffusion and hinders On- migration, but also suppresses lattice volume changes and reduces interfacial side reactions at voltage up to 4.9 V vs Li+/Li. As a result, the modified material exhibits enhanced initial capacities and retention rates of 224.4 mAh g-1 and 78.57% after 500 cycles at 2.0-4.65 V and 231.7 mAh g(-1) and 85.76% after 200 cycles at 2.0-4.9 V at 1C, respectively.