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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Protocol of Electrochemical Test and Characterization of Aprotic Li-O2 Battery
Published on: July 12, 2016
Hybrid Surface Modification and Bulk Doping Enable Spent LiCoO2 Cathodes for High-Voltage Operation
Zhenzhen Liu1,2, Miaomiao Han3, Shengbo Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Centre for Environmental and Energy Nanomaterials, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Institute of Solid State Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, China.
Recycling spent lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries into high-voltage cathode materials is achieved through Mn and P doping with a Li3PO4/CoP coating. This upcycling strategy enhances energy storage performance for sustainable battery development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Growing demand for high-energy-density storage devices necessitates sustainable solutions for end-of-life lithium cobalt oxide (LCO).
- Upcycling spent LCO into advanced cathode materials offers a pathway to reduce waste and improve battery performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated bulk and surface modification strategy for upcycling spent LCO (S-LCO) into high-voltage cathode materials.
- To enhance the electrochemical performance of S-LCO for next-generation energy storage applications.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a dual strategy involving bulk manganese (Mn) doping and near-surface phosphorus (P) gradient doping.
- Applied a hybrid coating of Li3PO4 (LPO) and CoP (CP) onto the S-LCO surface, creating MP-LCO@LPO/CP.
- Investigated the structural stability and electrochemical properties of the modified cathode material.
Main Results:
- The optimized MP-LCO@LPO/CP cathode demonstrated superior high-voltage performance.
- Achieved an initial discharge capacity of 218.8 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C.
- Exhibited excellent capacity retention: 80.9% (at 0.5 C) after 200 cycles at 4.6 V and 96.3% (over 100 cycles) at 4.5 V.
Conclusions:
- The proposed bulk and surface modification strategy effectively upcycles S-LCO into high-performance cathode materials.
- The hybrid LPO/CP coating and Mn/P co-doping enhance Li+ conductivity, electron transport, and structural stability.
- This approach provides a viable route for the sustainable valorization of commercial S-LCO into advanced energy storage materials.
