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Microstructural Evolution Dynamics in Rapid Joule Heating Densification of High-Nickel Cathodes
Min-Ho Kim1,2, Jeongwoo Seo1, Jaeyong Shin3,4
1School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|August 4, 2025
Summary
Rapid Joule heating and two-step sintering improve high-Nickel layered oxide cathodes for better lithium-ion batteries. This method enhances density and mechanical strength while reducing pores and grain growth for superior performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Battery Technology
Background:
- High-energy density materials are critical for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
- High-Nickel (Ni) layered oxide cathodes offer high capacity and cost-effectiveness but suffer from porosity and grain growth, compromising performance.
- Optimizing sintering is crucial to achieve densification without abnormal grain growth in these materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a rapid Joule heating technique combined with two-step sintering for high-Ni layered oxide cathodes.
- To investigate the impact of this sintering strategy on microstructural integrity, densification, and grain growth.
- To evaluate the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of the resulting cathode materials.
Main Methods:
- A novel rapid Joule heating technique coupled with a two-step sintering process was employed.
- In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and 3D ptychography were used for microstructural analysis.
- Electrochemical performance was assessed through cycling stability, coulombic efficiency, and rate capability tests.
Main Results:
- The rapid Joule heating approach achieved fast densification while effectively suppressing abnormal grain growth.
- Cathodes exhibited increased density, reduced porosity, enhanced mechanical strength, and mitigated phase separation.
- Improved resistance to crack propagation, superior cycling stability, coulombic efficiency, and rate performance were observed.
Conclusions:
- Rapid Joule heating with two-step sintering significantly enhances the microstructural integrity of high-Ni layered oxide cathodes.
- This method provides a pathway to synthesize fully densified, high-energy density materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries.
- The study offers valuable insights into sintering dynamics and microstructural evolution for optimizing cathode materials.
Keywords:
high‐Ni cathode materialsin situ characterizationmorphological characterizationpore evolution characterizationrapid Joule heating techniquesintering dynamicssintering theoryMore Related Videos
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