Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Ca-doped LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion battery

LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ and Ca-doped LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ cathode materials have been synthesized via a rheological phase reaction method. X-ray diffraction studies show that the Ca-doped material, and also the discharged electrode, maintains a hexagonal structure even when cycled in the range of 3.0–4.35 V (vs Li⁺/Li) after 100 cycles. Electrochemical tests show that Ca doping significantly improves the reversible capacity and cyclability. The improvement is attributed to the formation of defects caused by the partial occupancy of Ca²⁺ ions in lithium lattice sites, which reduce the resistance and thus improve the electrochemical properties.     

Towards high-performance cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries: Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-coated LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Zn-doped LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ exhibits impressive electrochemical performance but suffers limited cycling stability due to the relative large size of irregular and bare particle which is prepared by conventional solid-state method usually requiring high calcination temperature and prolonged calcination time. Here, submicron LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Zn_0.05O₂ as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries is synthesized by a facile sol-gel method, which followed by coating Al₂O₃ layer of about 15 nm to enhance its electrochemistry performance. The as-prepared Al₂O₃-coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Zn_0.05O₂ cathode delivers a highly reversible capacity of 182 mA h g^?1 and 94% capacity retention after 100 cycles at a current rate of 0.5 C, which is much superior to that of bare LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Zn_0.05O₂ cathode. The enhanced electrochemistry performance can be attributed to the Al₂O₃-coated protective layer, which prevents the direct contact between the LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Zn_0.05O₂ and electrolyte. The escalating trend of Li-ion diffusion coefficient estimated form electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) also indicate the enhanced structural stability of Al₂O₃-coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Zn_0.05O₂, which rationally illuminates the protection mechanism of the Al₂O₃-coated layer.     

掺F影响LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2结构和性能的微观机制

以氟化锂为氟源,通过高温固相法合成了F掺杂的LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2。采用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和电化学测试等手段研究F影响LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2结构和性能的微观机制。结果表明:适量F掺杂可以提高正极材料的放电比容量,改善其倍率性、循环性和热稳定性。当F掺杂量(物质的量分数)为1.5%时,材料的综合电化学性能最优,初始放电比容量(0.2C)和50周循环容量保持率(1C)分别由原始的174.0 mAh·g~(-1)(78.7%)提高到178.6 mAh·g~(-1)(85.7%)。LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2材料性能的改善可归因于F能够增强过渡金属层、锂层与氧层之间的结合力,提高材料的结构稳定性。此外,F掺杂还有利于降低电化学反应中的界面电阻和电荷转移阻抗。     

A novel preparation method of active materials for the lithium secondary battery

LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ is a promising candidate to replace LiCoO₂. The present paper describes the preparation of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ compounds from nitrate sources and sucrose (or sugar) by the sucrose combustion process (SCP), which involves application of a conventional combustion method. In the proposed approach, sucrose serves as a fuel, a dispersing agent, and a precipitation suppressant. Precursors were made via a combustion reaction, and LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ was subsequently synthesized by heat treatment at 800 °C for 16 h in oxygen atmosphere. The initial discharge capacity was 175 mA h/g when a cell was operated at 2.7–4.3 V at 0.5 C-rate. Furthermore, it shows good cycling stability. When increased amount of sucrose were added as a start material, the final calcined powder displayed smaller particle size and better discharge capacity. It is expected that optimization of the heat treatment conditions would yield LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ with excellent properties. Furthermore, SCP is expected to be applicable to the production of various materials.     

A simple and effective strategy to synthesize Al2O3-coated LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 cathode materials for lithium ion battery

A facile method has been developed to synthesize Al₂O₃-coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ cathode materials. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Electrochemical tests show that the cycling stability of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ at room temperature is effectively improved by Al₂O₃ coating. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high temperature (60 °C) cycling tests indicate that Al₂O₃ coating can also improve the thermal stability of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂, which is attributed to that the coating layer can protect the LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ particles from reacting with the electrolyte.     

Improved electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 as cathode of lithium ion battery by Co and Cr co-doping

Three samples, LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄, LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Co_0.2O₄, and LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Cr_0.15Co_0.05O₄, were prepared by sol–gel method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscope, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, four-probe resistance, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge–discharge test. It is found that the co-doped sample LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Cr_0.15Co_0.05O₄ exhibits an improved performance compared with the Co-doped sample LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Co_0.2O₄ and the undoped sample LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄, especially at elevated temperature. At 25 °C, the discharge capacity of LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Cr_0.15Co_0.05O₄ is 130 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and 103 mAh g^?1 at 10 C. At an elevated temperature (55 °C), its 1 C discharge capacity is 136 mAh g^?1 and maintains 95.6 % of its initial capacity after 100 cycles. Compared with the reported results of LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Co_0.2O₄ and LiNi_0.475Mn_1.475Co_0.05O₄, the co-doped sample LiNi_0.4Mn_1.4Cr_0.15Co_0.05O₄, with least content of Co, 0.05, possesses not only the high C-rate capacity but also the structural stability. The mechanism on the electrochemical performance improvement of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ by the co-doping was discussed.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Gradient Composite LiNi1-yCoyO2 Used as Cathode Materials in Lithium-ion Battery

Gradient composites, LiNi1-yCoyO2, are synthesized from coated spherical Ni(OH)2 precursor. These composites could be applied as new cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries because they have low cobalt content (y≤0.2)and exhibit excellent properties during high-rate charge/discharge cycles. The initial discharge capacity of coated composite of LiNio.95Co0.05O2 is 186 mAh/g, and the decreasing rate of the capacity is 3.2% in 50 cycles at 1C rate. It has been verified by TEM and EDX experiments that a core-shell structure of the composite particles develops because of the cobalt enrichment near the surfaces, and the formation of the cobalt enrichment layer is sensitive to sintering temperature. High cobalt surface concentration may reduce the undesired reactions and stabilize the structure of the particles.     

Synergistic Dual-Additive Electrolyte Enables Practical Lithium-Metal Batteries

A rechargeable Li metal anode coupled with a high-voltage cathode is a promising approach to high-energy-density batteries exceeding 300 Wh kg⁻¹. Reported here is an advanced dual-additive electrolyte containing a unique solvation structure and it comprises a tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive and LiNO₃ in a carbonate-based electrolyte. This system generates a robust outer Li₂O solid electrolyte interface and F- and B-containing conformal cathode electrolyte interphase. The resulting stable ion transport kinetics enables excellent cycling of Li/LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ for 140 cycles with 80 % capacity retention under highly challenging conditions (≈295.1 Wh kg⁻¹ at cell-level). The electrolyte also exhibits high cycling stability for a 4.6 V LiCoO₂ (160 cycles with 89.8 % capacity retention) cathode and 4.95 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode.     

锂离子电池正极材料LiNi0.5Co0.4Al0.1O2的合成与性能

采用高温固相法制备了锂离子电池正极材料LiNi_0.5Co_0.4Al_0.1O₂,采用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对材料的结构及表观形貌进行分析。通过恒电流充放电以及循环伏安法进行了电化学性能测试。测试结果表明,充放电电压在3~4.5V之间,在0.2C倍率下首次放电比容量达到159.9mAh·g^-1,经50次循环充放电后放电容量为142.6mAh·g^-1,表现出良好的电化学性能。     

锂离子电池正极材料LiNi0.5Co0.4Al0.1O2的合成与性能

采用高温固相法制备了锂离子电池正极材料LiNi_0.5Co_0.4Al_0.1O₂。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对材料的结构及表观形貌进行分析。通过恒电流充放电以及循环伏安法进行了电化学性能测试。测试结果表明,充放电电压在3~4.5 V之间,在0.2C倍率下首次放电比容量达到159.9 mAh·g^-1,经50次循环充放电后放电容量为142.6 mAh·g^-1,表现出良好的电化学性能。     

Synthesis and characterization of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries by polyacrylic acid-assisted sol–gel method

Nanocrystalline LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials are synthesized by sol–gel method using polyacrylic acid as a chelating agent. The effects of the calcination temperature and calcination time on the structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ electrode materials are investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and charge–discharge cycling test, respectively. All experiments show that the microscopic structural features and the morphology properties are deeply related with the electrochemical performance. The results show that the nanocrystalline LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ with a particle size of 80 nm sintered at 700 °C for 2 h presents good α-NaFeO₂ layer structure and the best electrochemical performance. When it is discharged between 4.4 and 2.8 V at 20 mAg^?1, the initial specific capacity of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ obtained at 700 °C for 2 h is 169.2 mAhg^?1. The investigated electrode materials retain 151 mAhg^?1 after 30 cycles when cycled at 20 mAg^?1.     

Synergistic Dual‐Additive Electrolyte Enables Practical Lithium‐Metal Batteries

A rechargeable Li metal anode coupled with a high‐voltage cathode is a promising approach to high‐energy‐density batteries exceeding 300 Wh kg^?1. Reported here is an advanced dual‐additive electrolyte containing a unique solvation structure and it comprises a tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive and LiNO₃ in a carbonate‐based electrolyte. This system generates a robust outer Li₂O solid electrolyte interface and F‐ and B‐containing conformal cathode electrolyte interphase. The resulting stable ion transport kinetics enables excellent cycling of Li/LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ for 140 cycles with 80 % capacity retention under highly challenging conditions (≈295.1 Wh kg^?1 at cell‐level). The electrolyte also exhibits high cycling stability for a 4.6 V LiCoO₂ (160 cycles with 89.8 % capacity retention) cathode and 4.95 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode.     

表面活性剂辅助合成LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2正极材料

通过添加烷基季铵盐类表面活性剂来调控材料形貌和粒径的改性方法,在LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂前驱体合成过程中添加表面活性剂十二烷基三甲基溴化铵(DTAB)和十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB),利用尿素作为配合剂和沉淀剂,采用溶剂热法合成LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂前驱体。最后,高温混锂煅烧合成椭球形的空心多孔材料。相比于不添加表面活性剂的样本,改性的材料有着更小的粒径和更加规整的形貌。电化学测试表明,添加DTAB和CTAB之后,首次充电容量分别达到223与251 mAh·g^-1(0.1C)。其中,添加CTAB的样品首次放电容量达到216 mAh·g^-1(0.1C),100次循环后容量保持率为85.1%,高于LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂的81.7%(0.1C)。表面活性剂的改性显著提高了材料的电化学性能,为高镍三元正极材料的改性提供了一种新的思路。     

Understanding the accumulated cycle capacity fade caused by the secondary particle fracture of LiNi<Subscript>1-x-y</Subscript>Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>y</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode for lithium ion batteries

Effect of secondary particle fracture on the accumulated cycle capacity fade of LiNi_1-x-yCo_xMn_yO₂ cathode is difficult to evaluate since performance degradation of electrode material is always caused by several factors simultaneously. Herein, LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ single particles (Sin-P) are prepared and introduced as a reference to understand the accumulated cycle capacity fade caused by the secondary particle fracture of LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ secondary particles (Sec-P). Sec-P exhibited accumulated cycle capacity fade compared to Sin-P when cycled at high rate, high voltage, and high temperature. The accumulated cycle capacity fade was mainly caused by the secondary particle fracture of Sec-P, which was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Further, XPS and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis indicated that the surface property changes and resistance rise were responsible for the accumulated cycle capacity fade. The study provides a novel way to analyze the accumulated cycle capacity fade caused by the secondary particle fracture and is helpful for understanding the performance degradation mechanism of electrode material.     

Lithium Nitrate Regulated Sulfone Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries

The electrolytes in lithium metal batteries have to be compatible with both lithium metal anodes and high voltage cathodes, and can be regulated by manipulating the solvation structure. Herein, to enhance the electrolyte stability, lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafuoroethyl-2′,2′,2′-trifuoroethyl(HFE) are introduced into the high-concentration sulfolane electrolyte to suppress Li dendrite growth and achieve a high Coulombic efficiency of >99 % for both the Li anode and LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) cathodes. Molecular dynamics simulations show that NO₃⁻ participates in the solvation sheath of lithium ions enabling more bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI⁻) to coordinate with Li⁺ ions. Therefore, a robust LiN_xO_y−LiF-rich solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is formed on the Li surface, suppressing Li dendrite growth. The LiNO₃-containing sulfolane electrolyte can also support the highly aggressive LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) cathode, delivering a discharge capacity of 190.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 C for 200 cycles with a capacity retention rate of 99.5 %.     

Thermal investigations of transitional metal oxide cathodes in Li-ion cells

Accelerating rate and differential scanning calorimeters were used to investigate the thermal behavior of LiCoO₂ and LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ cathodes in fully charged Li-ion cells. The heat flow for LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ was observed to be three times higher than that for LiCoO₂. The net heat transferred out of the cell fabricated with a LiNi₀.₈Co_0.2O₂ cathode was found to be 51% higher than the net heat transferred out of the cell fabricated with LiCoO₂. Although LiNi₀.₈Co_0.2O₂ was found to be thermally less stable than LiCoO₂, the electrochemical performance of the LiNi₀.₈Co_0.2O₂ cathode under high power discharge was found superior to LiCoO₂.     

LiCoO2梯度包覆LiNi0.96Co0.04O2电极材料的电化学性能

镍钴酸锂(LiNi0.8Co0.2O2)与目前商业用锂离子电池正极材料钴酸锂(LiCoO2)相比,具有成本低、实际比容量高和环境友好等优势。但LiNi0.8Co0.2O2的充放循环性能还有待提高,对其进行阳离子掺杂或表面修饰可以改善其电化学性能,这方面的研究已经成为热点。Fey等人[1]用溶胶凝胶法制     

Preparation and characterization of LiNi0.8Co0.2O2/PANI microcomposite electrode materials under assisted ultrasonic irradiation

A preparation method for a new electrode material based on the LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂/polyaniline (PANI) composite is reported. This material is prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of LiNi_0.8Co_0.2O₂ assisted by ultrasonic irradiation. The materials are characterized by XRD, TG-DTA, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDX, AFM, nitrogen adsorption (BET surface area) and electrical conductivity measurements. PANI in the emeraldine salt form interacts with metal-oxide particles to assure good connectivity. The dc electrical conductivity measurements at room temperature indicate that conductivity values are one order of magnitude higher in the composite than in the oxide alone. This behavior determines better reversibility for Li-insertion in charge-discharge cycles compared to the pristine mixed oxide when used as electrode of lithium batteries.     

Succinonitrile as a high-voltage additive in the electrolyte of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2/graphite full batteries

As a functional additive, succinonitrile (SN) can be used in LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂/graphite lithium ion batteries to broaden the oxidation electrochemical window of the electrolyte and significantly improve its rate performance and high-voltage cycle performance. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) shows that EC/EMC-based electrolytes with SN have higher oxidation potentials (approximately 6.1 V vs Li/Li⁺). The capacity retention of LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂/graphite full cell with 0.5-wt% SN added to the electrolyte and 120 cycles between 2.75 and 4.4 V was significantly increased from 67.96% to 84.0%. It is indicated that the LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ (NCM523) battery containing 0.5-wt% SN-based electrolyte has better cycleability and capacity retention at high cutoff voltage. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the full cell were used to characterize the effect of SN on the cell. It is proved that the SN participates in the interfacial reaction between the electrode and the electrolyte to form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, thereby effectively suppressing the increase of the charge transfer resistance and reducing the elution of the transition metal cations. These results indicate that SN can be used as a functional additive for high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.     

Stable Operation of Lithium Metal Batteries with Aggressive Cathode Chemistries at 4.9 V

High-voltage lithium metal batteries (LMBs) pose severe challenges for the matching of electrolytes with aggressive electrodes, especially at low temperatures. Here, we report a rational modification of the Li⁺ solvation structure to extend the voltage and temperature operating ranges of conventional electrolytes. Ion-ion and ion-dipole interactions as well as the electrochemical window of solvents were tailored to improve oxidation stability and de-solvation kinetics of the electrolyte. Meanwhile, robust and elastic B and F-rich interphases are formed on both electrodes. Such optimization enables Li||LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cells (90.2 % retention after 400 cycles) and Li||LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM622) cells (74.0 % retention after 200 cycles) to cycle stably at an ultra-high voltage of 4.9 V. Moreover, NCM622 cells deliver a considerable capacity of 143.5 mAh g⁻¹ at −20 °C, showing great potential for practical uses. The proposed strategy sheds light on further optimization for high-voltage LMBs.