Surface Modification on Nickel rich Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Cells: A Mini Review

Nickel-rich (Ni-rich) layered oxides are considered as the most promising cathode candidates for lithium-ion cells owing to their high theoretical specific capacity. However, the higher nickel content endows structural deformation through unwanted phase transitions and parasitic side reactions that lead to capacity fading upon prolonged cycling. Hence, a deep understanding of the chemistry and structural behaviour is essential for developing Ni-rich Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese oxide (NCM) cathode-based high-energy batteries. The present review focuses on the different challenges associated with Ni-rich NCM materials and surface modification as a strategy to solve the issues associated with NCM materials, assessment of several coating materials, and the recent developments in the surface modification of Ni-rich NCMs, with an in-depth discussion on the impact of coating on the degradation mechanism.

Automated summary

Nickel-rich layered oxides are the most promising cathode candidates for lithium-ion cells due to their high theoretical specific capacity. However, the higher nickel content leads to unwanted phase transitions and parasitic side reactions, causing capacity fading. Therefore, understanding the chemistry and structural behavior is essential for developing Ni-rich Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese oxide (NCM) cathode-based high-energy batteries. This review focuses on the challenges associated with Ni-rich NCM materials, surface modification strategies, and recent developments in coating techniques and their impact on degradation mechanisms.