Corona Yank in Edged Cathode Particles for Li-Ion Batteries

In a heuristic endeavor based on electrostatics-dynamics considerations, an attempt has been made to explain the significant enhancement (∼20%) observed in initial capacity for the as-synthesized, sharp-edged cathode particles of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, and lithium nickel manganese oxide cathode systems which are considered here as illustrative examples. Also, the impressive capacity retention (∼90%) observed for the milled blend of these, comprising smooth surfaced particles with cells made using respective cathode particles, has been explained. Enhancement in initial capacity observed for the edged particles can be squarely attributed to a corona-gain process. On the contrary, impressive capacity retention possible for the milled blend (of near-spherical particles) can be rationalized in terms of the absence of predominant energy drain encountered while shuttling charges across edges of the as-synthesized cathode particles, a process described as corona yank.