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Niobium Gradient Doping-Driven Microstructural Engineering for High-Performance Nickel-Rich Cathode Materials in
Zhenhao Luo1,2,3, Jintao Li1,2,3, Yue Mu4
1State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Hebei Key Laboratory of Heavy Metal Deep-Remediation in Water and Resource Reuse, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 6, 2026
Summary
Niobium modification of nickel-rich layered cathodes enhances lithium-ion battery performance by improving structural integrity and conductivity. This strategy boosts capacity retention and enables rapid charging for next-generation electric vehicles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- High-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) utilize nickel-enriched layered cathodes for increased capacity.
- These cathodes face challenges like structural instability, Ni ion volatility, and thermal runaway.
- Developing stable and high-performance LIB cathodes is crucial for electric vehicles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the structural integrity and electrochemical performance of nickel-enriched layered cathodes.
- To mitigate degradation issues in Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O2 (NCM622) through niobium (Nb) modification.
- To explore the potential of Nb-modified NCM622 in hybrid capacitor-LIB electrodes for high power and energy density.
Main Methods:
- A two-step strategy for gradient Nb doping in NCM622 was employed.
- Nb modification involved doping within particles and decorating grain boundaries/surfaces.
- A capacitor-LIB hybrid electrode was fabricated using Nb-modified NCM622 and graphene.
Main Results:
- Nb doping increased interplanar spacing, facilitating lithium-ion diffusion and enhancing stability.
- Nb decoration suppressed electrolyte decomposition and improved electronic conductivity.
- Nb-NCM622 cathodes retained 86% capacity after 300 cycles at 5C, outperforming pristine NCM622 (68.34%).
- A 7 Ah pouch full-cell with a hybrid cathode maintained ~90% capacity after 7000 cycles at 70 A.
Conclusions:
- Gradient Nb doping and surface decoration offer a simple yet effective method to stabilize Ni-enriched layered cathodes.
- Nb modification significantly improves cycling stability, rate capability, and safety of LIBs.
- The developed hybrid electrode technology shows promise for next-generation electric vehicles requiring high energy and power density.
