Oxidation-promoting strategy boosts highly ordered Co-free Ni-rich layered oxides

Nickel-rich cobalt-free cathodes are considered as an attractive candidate for next-generation lithium-ion batteries in terms of economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, and energy density. However, high-nickel and zero-cobalt contents are prone to induce layered oxide cathode active materials (CAMs) with undesirable anti site defects (Li+/Ni2+ mixing) and a defective interface (rock-salt phase layer). Herein, a highly ordered structural LiNi0.80Mn0.17Al0.03O2 CAM was successfully synthesized via the active Li2O2 boosted method. The significant reduction in Li+/Ni2+ mixing (5.5%& RARR;2.9%) and thickness of the rock-salt phase interface (5 nm & RARR;1.2 nm) vigorously verify the feasibility of this strategy. The evolution of the Ni2+/Ni3+ proportion and primary particle size can further illustrate the co-oxidation mechanism of this strategy. In-situ XRD also shows that the degree of H2-H3 phase transition in the modified sample is relieved, which alleviates the volume change. As a result, the optimized sample displays enhanced cyclability (162.60 mAh/g at 1C over 100 cycles) and advanced rate performance (124.29 mAh/g at 5C).

Automated summary

Nickel-rich cobalt-free cathodes are attractive for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high energy density. In this study, a highly ordered structural LiNi0.80Mn0.17Al0.03O2 cathode active material was successfully synthesized using the active Li2O2 boosted method. The optimized sample exhibited enhanced cyclability and advanced rate performance.