Issue 9, 2021

High-performance Ni-rich Li[Ni0.9–xCo0.1Alx]O2 cathodes via multi-stage microstructural tailoring from hydroxide precursor to the lithiated oxide

Abstract

The recharging capability of Ni-rich layered cathodes deteriorates rapidly upon cycling, mainly from mechanical instability caused by removing a large amount of Li ions from the host structure. Through multi-stage microstructural tailoring, which refers to optimal engineering of the precursor microstructure and then deliberately over-doping of Al during the lithiation stage to preserve the needle-like morphology of the precursor, we optimize the primary particle morphology of the cathode. It is demonstrated that the chemical and microstructural engineering of a Li[Ni0.9–xCo0.1Alx]O2 cathode starting from its precursor stage produces a unique structure that relieves the detrimental mechanical strain and significantly extends the battery life. Excess Al-doped Li[Ni0.86Co0.1Al0.04]O2 with the compositional partitioning of Ni produces a highly aligned microstructure in which constituent primary particles are refined to a sub-micrometer scale. Thus, the designed Li[Ni0.86Co0.1Al0.04]O2 retains 86.5% of the initial capacity after 2000 cycles and an unprecedented 78.0% even at a severe operation condition of 45 °C. The proposed Li[Ni0.86Co0.1Al0.04]O2 represents a new class of Ni-rich Li[NixCoyAl1–xy]O2 cathodes that can meet the energy density required for next-generation electric vehicles, without compromising the battery life and safety.

Graphical abstract: High-performance Ni-rich Li[Ni0.9–xCo0.1Alx]O2 cathodes via multi-stage microstructural tailoring from hydroxide precursor to the lithiated oxide

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 Jun 2021
Accepted
28 Jul 2021
First published
28 Jul 2021

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 5084-5095

High-performance Ni-rich Li[Ni0.9–xCo0.1Alx]O2 cathodes via multi-stage microstructural tailoring from hydroxide precursor to the lithiated oxide

G. Park, N. Park, T. Noh, B. Namkoong, H. Ryu, J. Shin, T. Beierling, C. S. Yoon and Y. Sun, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 5084 DOI: 10.1039/D1EE01773J

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