Nanostructured high-energy cathode materials for advanced lithium batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Nickel-rich layered lithium transition-metal oxides are investigated for high-energy rechargeable lithium batteries.
• Commercialization is limited by poor thermal stability and insufficient cycle life, especially at elevated temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a nickel-rich cathode material with improved thermal stability, cycle life, and high energy density.
• To address the limitations of current nickel-rich cathode materials for practical battery applications.

Main Methods:

• A nano-functional full-gradient approach was employed to synthesize the cathode material.
• The material exhibits a gradient composition with decreasing nickel and increasing manganese concentration from the particle core to the outer layer.
• Micrometre-size secondary particles composed of aligned needle-like primary particles were engineered.

Main Results:

• The developed cathode material achieved a high specific capacity of 215 mA h g(-1).
• The gradient structure successfully combined the high energy density of the nickel-rich core with the thermal stability and longevity of the manganese-rich shell.
• The aligned primary particle structure contributed to a high rate capability.

Conclusions:

• The nano-functional full-gradient cathode material demonstrates significant promise for high-energy, long-life, and abuse-tolerant applications, particularly in electric vehicles.
• This material design overcomes key limitations of conventional nickel-rich oxides.