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At least 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Thermally driven mesoscale chemomechanical interplay in Li 0.5 Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 cathode materials

While Li ion batteries are intended to be operated within a mild temperature window, their structural and chemical complexity could lead to unanticipated local electrochemical events that could cause extreme temperature spikes, which, in turn, could trigger more undesired and sophisticated reactions in the system. Visualizing and understanding the response of battery electrode materials to thermal abuse conditions could potentially offer a knowledge basis for the prevention and mitigation of the safety hazards. Here we show a comprehensive investigation of thermally driven chemomechanical interplay in a Li 0.5 Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (charged NMC622) cathode material. We report that, at the early stage of the thermal abuse, oxygen release and internal Li migration occur concurrently, and are accompanied by mechanical disintegration at the mesoscale. At the later stage, Li protrusions are observed on the secondary particle surface due to the limited lithium solubility in non-layered lattices. As a result, the extraction of both oxygen and lithium from the host material at elevated temperature could influence the chemistry and safety at the cell level via rearrangement of the electron and ion diffusion pathways, reduction of the coulombic efficiency, and/or causing an internal short circuit that could provoke a thermal runaway.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles anchored on graphene nanosheets as high-performance cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Nanocrystalline LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanosheets nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method without post-heat treatment. In the nanocomposite, LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles of 10–30 nm in size are well crystallized and homogeneously anchored on the graphene nanosheets. The graphene nanosheets not only provide a highly conductive matrix for LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles but also effectively reduce the agglomeration of LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. The nanocrystalline LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanosheets nanocomposite exhibited greatly improved electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacity, cycle performance, and rate capability compared with the bare LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. The superior electrochemical performance of the nanocrystalline LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanosheets nanocomposite makes it promising as cathode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. - Graphical abstract: Nanocrystalline LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanosheets (GNS) nanocomposite exhibit superior cathode performance for lithium-ion batteries compared to the bare LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. Display Omitted - Highlights: • LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite is synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. • LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles are uniformly anchored on the graphene nanosheets. • The nanocomposite exhibits excellent cathode performance for lithium-ion batteries.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis, spectral character, electrochemical performance and in situ structure studies of Li{sub 1+x}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} cathode material prepared by tartaric acid assisted sol–gel process

Highlights: ► The adoption of tartaric acid lowers the crystallization temperature to 350 °C. ► No capacity decadence is observed in 50 cycles and a discharge capacity of 260 mAh g{sup −1} is obtained after 50 cycles. ► Two phases transition mechanism (Li{sub 4}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} and LiV{sub 3}O{sub 8}) while cycling revealed by in situ XRD. -- Abstract: Lithium-ion battery cathode material Li{sub 1+x}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} was synthesized by a tartaric acid assisted sol–gel method and thermally treated at 350 °C, 450 °C and 550 °C for 3 h for the formation of Li{sub 1+x}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} phase. The synthesized samples were fully characterized by FTIR, TG/DTA, XRD and charge–discharge tests. Li{sub 1+x}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} material synthesized by tartaric acid assisted route, followed by heat treatment at 450 °C for 3 h shows best electro-chemical performance. It shows a high initial capacity of 249 mAh g{sup −1} and still reserves a discharge capacity of 260 mAh g{sup −1} after 50 cycles. Moreover, for all tartaric assisted products, no capacity decadence is observed in 50 cycles. The in situ X-ray measurements reveal a two-phase transition mechanism in the lithium intercalation/deintercalation process. During lithium extraction, the structure of the delithiated compound changes from Li{sub 4}V{sub 3}O{sub 8} (x > 3.1) to the original LiV{sub 3}O{sub 8} phase (x < 1.4) via the coexistence state of these two phases (1.4 < x < 3.2). An obvious contraction, especially at Li(3)–Li(4) transition, along a axis and a slight expansion along b axis are also observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis and physical properties of NaxTO2 (T = Mn, Co) nanostructures for cathode materials in Na-ion batteries

Highlights: • Synthesis of stable Na{sub x}TO{sub 2} (T = Mn, Co) nanostructures using a sol–gel method. • Absence of any long-range magnetic ordering in both compounds till 5 K. • Activated type conduction at high temperatures and VRH at low temperatures in Na{sub x}CoO{sub 2}. • Disorder assisted VRH conduction takes place in Na{sub x}MnO{sub 2} near room temperature. • Cyclic voltammetry confirm reversibility of Na ion in a coin cell using Na{sub x}TO{sub 2} cathode. - Abstract: We prepared Na{sub x}TO{sub 2} (T = Mn, Co) nanostructures to use as cathode material in Na-ion batteries. The Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data confirms the hexagonal symmetry. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy measurements show hexagonal and rod-shape morphology for T = Co and Mn, respectively. The magnetic measurements indicate the presence of variable oxidation states of Mn/Co ions, but no long range ordering till 5 K. We find that the Na{sub 0.6}MnO{sub 2} is highly insulating whereas Na{sub 0.7}CoO{sub 2} is semiconducting in nature. The conduction in Na{sub 0.7}CoO{sub 2} takes place through both variable range hopping (VRH) as well as activation mechanisms in different temperature ranges. However, for Na{sub 0.6}MnO{sub 2} the VRH prevails at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the coin cells have been fabricated and tested the electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry, which confirms the reversibility of Na-ions during intercalation/de-intercalation.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Direct Recycling of Blended Cathode Materials by Froth Flotation

We report that direct Li-ion battery recycling involves separating cathode active materials in the solid phase while preserving their electrochemical performance. To reuse the recycled ones in new batteries, it is necessary to separate individual cathode components, which would typically occur prior to the rejuvenation and any compositional reformulation processes. Herein, a froth flotation process is developed to separate pristine lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (LiNi 0.333 Mn 0.333 Co 0.333 O 2 , NMC111) and lithium manganese oxide (LMO) materials. The flotation results show that with multiple stages of the separation processes, a satisfactory separation is achieved with 95% grade or above of NMC111 in the froth product and 95% grade of LMO in the tailing product. The electrochemistry results show that the flotation chemicals have negligible impact on the electrochemical performance of recycled active materials, whereas the NMC111 exhibits a minor capacity fade after being in contact with deionized water at 2% solid concentration. An improvement in both the rate and cycling performance is achieved at 10% solid concentration or higher. It is found that there is little compositional and structural change to the aqueous recycled NMC111 powders. An effective and low-cost separation method for direct recycling mixed cathode compositions is demonstrated.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2015

The preparation and characterization of iron fluorides polymorphs FeF{sub 3}·0.33H{sub 2}O and β-FeF{sub 3}∙3H{sub 2}O as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Graphical abstract: Better rate capability and cycling performance were observed for β-FeF{sub 3}·3H{sub 2}O/C prepared by mechano-chemical synthesis. - Highlights: • A novel mechano-chemical preparation method. • The use of NH{sub 4}F as starting material. • Better electro-chemical performance in the case of β-FeF{sub 3}·3H{sub 2}O/C. - Abstract: Two kinds of iron fluorides, FeF{sub 3}·0.33H{sub 2}O and β-FeF{sub 3}∙3H{sub 2}O, have been synthesized by different chemical routes using Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}·9H{sub 2}O and NH{sub 4}F as precursors and investigated as cathode materials for secondary lithium batteries. β-FeF{sub 3}·3H{sub 2}O was obtained via a mechano-chemical process and FeF{sub 3}·0.33H{sub 2}O was obtained by a precipitation reaction from ethanol solution. To further improve their electrochemical properties, a ball milling process with carbon has been used to form composites. The fluorides were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The results showed that the as-prepared β-FeF{sub 3}·3H{sub 2}O/C exhibited better rate performance and cycling stability. It exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 199.6 mA h g{sup −1} at a current density of 20 mA g{sup −1} in a voltage range of 1.8–4.5 V and still reserved a discharge capacity of about 146.5 mA h g{sup −1} after 10 cycles. Only a capacity loss of 15 mA h g{sup −1} and 7 mA h g{sup −1} was observed when the current density was at 40 mA g{sup −1} and 80 mA g{sup −1}, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Probing the initiation of voltage decay in Li-rich layered cathode materials at the atomic scale

Li-rich layered oxides hold great promise for improving the energy density of present-day Li-ion batteries. However, their application is limited by the voltage decay upon cycling, and the origin of such a phenomenon is poorly understood. A major issue is determining the voltage range over which detrimental reactions originate. In the present study, a unique yet effective approach was employed to probe this issue. Instead of studying the materials during the first cycle, electrochemical behavior and evolution of the atomic structures were compared in extensively cycled specimens under varied charge/discharge voltages. With the upper cutoff voltage lowered from 4.8 to 4.4 V, the voltage decay ceased to occur even after 60 cycles. In the meantime, the material maintained its layered structure without any spinel phase emerging at the surface, which is unambiguously shown by the atomic-resolution Z-contrast imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy. These results have conclusively demonstrated that structural/chemical changes responsible for the voltage decay began between 4.4 and 4.8 V, where the layered-to-spinel transition was the most dramatic structural change observed. Thus, this discovery lays important groundwork for the mechanistic understanding of the voltage decay in Li-rich layered cathode materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Distinct Surface and Bulk Thermal Behaviors of LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 Cathode Materials as a Function of State of Charge

Understanding how structural and chemical transformations take place in particles under thermal conditions can inform designing thermally robust electrode materials. Such a study necessitates the use of diagnostic techniques that are capable of probing the transformations at multiple length scales and at different states of charge (SOC). In this study, the thermal behavior ofLiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 (NMC-622) was examined as a function of SOC, using an array of bulk and surface-sensitive techniques. In general, thermal stability decreases as lithium content is lowered and conversion in the bulk to progressively reduced metal oxides (spinels, rock salt) occurs as the temperature is raised. Hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray Raman spectroscopy (XRS) experiments, which probe the bulk, reveal that Ni and Co are eventually reduced when partially delithiated samples (regardless of the SOC) are heated, although Mn is not. Surface-sensitive synchrotron techniques, such as soft XAS and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), however, reveal that for 50% delithiated samples, apparent oxidation of nickel occurs at particle surfaces under some circumstances. This is partially compensated by reduction of cobalt but may also be a consequence of redistribution of lithium ions upon heating. TXM results indicate the movement of reduced nickel ions into particle interiors or oxidized nickel ions to the surface or both. These experiments illustrate the complexity of the thermal behavior of NMC cathode materials. The study also informs the importance of investigating the surface and bulk difference as a function of SOC when studying the thermal behaviors of battery materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Study of Li{sub 1+x}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 1-x}O{sub 2} cathode materials for vehicle battery applications.

Li{sub 1+x}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 1-x}O{sub 2} with two lithium content (x = 0 and 0.05) has been synthesized using coprecipitated (Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9})(OH){sub 2} and their electrochemical properties have been investigated. Compared with the x = 0 material, the lithium-rich material (x = 0.05) exhibited superior electrochemical properties. When cycled between 2.5 and 4.4 V, the Li/Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} cells showed high first-cycle coulombic efficiency (93%), reversible discharge capacity of 187 mAh/g at C/12 with 99% capacity retention after 40 cycles, and excellent rate performance (86% of C/12 rate at 5 C discharge current). The Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} electrode also showed a full-cell pulse power characteristics (5 C discharge pulse) comparable to Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 1/3}Co{sub 1/3}Ni{sub 1/3}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} electrode and better thermal stability at charged state (4.4 V) than charged LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.05}O{sub 2} (4.2 V). Using a battery design and cost model developed in-house, calculations found battery packs with Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} as the positive electrode to be of lower cost and higher energy density than those with LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.05}O{sub 2} and Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 1/3}Co{sub 1/3}Ni{sub 1/3}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} electrodes. The experimental and modeling results obtained in this work suggest Li{sub 1.05}(Mn{sub 4/9}Co{sub 1/9}Ni{sub 4/9}){sub 0.95}O{sub 2} to be a promising cathode material for vehicle battery applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Electrochemical performances of co-substituted (La and Li) LiLa{sub x−y}Li{sub y}Ni{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • LiLa{sub x−y}Li{sub x}Ni{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} powders were prepared by a sol–gel method at 600 °C for 10 h. • LiLa{sub x−y}Li{sub x}Ni{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} powder materials had well defined layer structure, and no impurities. • LiLa{sub 0.10}Li{sub 0.10}Ni{sub 0.80}O{sub 2} crystallite size was reduced compared with those of LiNiO{sub 2}. • Li/LiPF{sub 6}/LiLa{sub x−y}Li{sub x}Ni{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} cells were of high charge/discharge capacity, with columbic efficiency at 25 °C and 45 °C. • LiLa{sub 0.10}Li{sub 0.10}Ni{sub 0.80}O{sub 2} good cyclic stability, rate capability and better 45 °C. - Abstract: Co-substituted LiLa{sub x−y}Li{sub y}Ni{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} cathode materials were synthesized by sol–gel method using aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and tartaric acid as chelating agent at 600 °C for 10 h. The structure and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized by using XRD, SEM, EDAX, TEM, cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. XRD studies revealed a well defined layer structure and a linear variation of lattice parameters with the addition of lanthanum and lithium confirmed phase pure compounds in a rhombohedral structure. TEM and SEM analysis shows that LiLa{sub 0.10}Li{sub 0.10}Ni{sub 0.80}O{sub 2} has smaller particle size and regular morphological structure with narrow size distribution than those of LiNiO{sub 2}. Variations of dual mixing and hexagonal ordering with the substituted elements have enhanced the charge/discharge capacities at both room (25 °C) and elevated temperatures (45 °C), respectively. LiLa{sub 0.10}Li{sub 0.10}Ni{sub 0.80}O{sub 2} had high charge/discharge capacity, low irreversible capacity and better elevated temperature performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Reflection on the Evolution of Sodium/Metal Chloride (ZEBRA) Batteries and Lithium-Ion Cathode Materials (1975–2025): A Tribute to Johan Coetzer

This narrative summarizes, in retrospect, the enormous and quietly-conducted contribution of Dr Johan Coetzer, a South African scientist and entrepreneur, to the discovery, development and implementation of the high temperature sodium—metal chloride “ZEBRA” battery (Na/β-Al 2 O 3 , NaAlCl 4 /MCl 2 (M = Ni, Fe)). Here, this research activity was initiated in the mid 1970’s at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa and subsequently developed primarily in partnership with the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE, Harwell, UK), Beta R&D (Derby, UK) and Daimler Benz (Germany), before being transferred to industry worldwide for electric vehicle and energy storage applications, albeit at a relatively low production rate. Coetzer’s wide-ranging, innovative and, at times, unconventional scientific approach also laid the foundation for the discovery and implementation of manganese-based spinel and layered metal oxide cathode materials for the Li-ion battery industry.

ZEBRA Battery↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evolution Of Lattice Structure And Chemical Composition Of The Surface Reconstruction Layer In Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 Cathode Material For Lithium Ion Batteries

Voltage and capacity fading of layer structured lithium and manganese rich (LMR) transition metal oxide is directly related to the structural and composition evolution of the material during the cycling of the battery. However, understanding such evolution at atomic level remains elusive. Based on atomic level structural imaging, elemental mapping of the pristine and cycled samples and density functional theory calculations, it is found that accompanying the hoping of Li ions is the simultaneous migration of Ni ions towards the surface from the bulk lattice, leading to the gradual depletion of Ni in the bulk lattice and thickening of a Ni enriched surface reconstruction layer (SRL). Furthermore, Ni and Mn also exhibit concentration partitions within the thin layer of SRL in the cycled samples where Ni is almost depleted at the very surface of the SRL, indicating the preferential dissolution of Ni ions in the electrolyte. Accompanying the elemental composition evolution, significant structural evolution is also observed and identified as a sequential phase transition of C2/m →I41→Spinel. For the first time, it is found that the surface facet terminated with pure cation is more stable than that with a mixture of cation and anion. These findings firmly established how the elemental species in the lattice of LMR cathode transfer from the bulk lattice to surface layer and further into the electrolyte, clarifying the long standing confusion and debate on the structure and chemistry of the surface layer and their correlation with the voltage fading and capacity decaying of LMR cathode. Therefore, this work provides critical insights for designing of cathode materials with both high capacity and voltage stability during cycling.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2017

Crystal Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Li x Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 Solid Solution Cathode Materials

For ordered high-voltage spinel LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (LMNO) with the P4 3 2 1 symmetry, the two consecutive two-phase transformations at ~4.7 V (vs Li + /Li), involving three cubic phases of LMNO, Li 0.5 Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (L 0.5 MNO), and Mn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (MNO), have been well-established. Such a mechanism is traditionally associated with poor kinetics due to the slow movement of the phase boundaries and the large mechanical strain resulting from the volume changes among the phases, yet ordered LMNO has been shown to have excellent rate capability. In this paper, we show the ability of the phases to dissolve into each other and determine their solubility limit. We characterized the properties of the formed solid solutions and investigated the role of non-equilibrium single-phase redox processes during the charge and discharge of LMNO. Finally, by using an array of advanced analytical techniques, such as soft and hard X-ray spectroscopy, transmission X-ray microscopy, and neutron/X-ray diffraction, as well as bond valence sum analysis, the present study examines the metastable nature of solid-solution phases and provides new insights in enabling cathode materials that are thermodynamically unstable.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Mitigating Voltage Fade in Cathode Materials by Improving the Atomic Level Uniformity of Elemental Distribution

Li-rich and Mn-rich (LMR) layered structured materials are very promising cathodes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries. However, their fundamental structure and voltage fading mechanisms are far from being well understood. Here we report the first evidence on the reduced voltage and energy fade of LMR cathode by improving the atomic level spatial distribution of the chemical species. LMR cathode (Li[Li0.2Ni0.2M0.6]O2) prepared by co-precipitation and sol-gel methods are dominated by R-3m phase and show significant Ni-segregation at the surface of the particles. They exhibit large voltage-fade and fast capacity degradation. In contrast, LMR cathode prepared by hydrothermal assisted method is dominated by C2/m phase and minimal Ni-segregation. It also demonstrates much smaller voltage-fade and excellent capacity retention. The fundamental correlation between the atomic level spatial distribution of the chemical species and the functional stability of the materials found in this work also guide the design of other functional materials with enhanced stabilities.

Cation mixing↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tailoring Disordered/Ordered Phases to Revisit the Degradation Mechanism of High‐Voltage LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Spinel Cathode Materials

Abstract In the spinel oxide cathode family, LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) shows a high operating voltage (≈4.7 V vs Li/Li + ) and excellent Li‐ion mobility with stable 3D conducting channels. Ni/Mn cation disordered and ordered phases usually coexist in LNMO materials, and they have distinct structural and electrochemical properties, resulting in different battery performances for LNMO materials with different phase compositions. Identifying the correlation between phase compositions and electrochemical properties is of significance to the improvement of battery performance and understanding of degradation mechanisms. Herein, the disordered/ordered phase compositions in LNMO materials are tailored by post‐annealing strategies and their impacts on electrochemical performance and degradation mechanisms from the surface to the bulk are systematically investigated. The ordered phase increases rapidly as Mn 3+ is oxidized to Mn 4+ through a post‐annealing process. LNMO with an intermediate fraction of disordered and ordered phases gives rise to improved cycling stability. This article further reports that a high ordered phase fraction can preferentially protect Ni from dissolution during cycling. However, these results suggest that the transition metal dissolution and surface structural change of LNMO do not exhibit a direct correlation with cycling stability. These results indicate the capacity fading mainly correlates with the bulk structural distortion, leading to decreased Li‐ion kinetics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Structural and Chemical Evolution of Li- and Mn-rich Layered Cathode Material

Lithium (Li)- and manganese-rich (LMR) layered-structure materials are very promising cathodes for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However, their voltage fading mechanism and its relationships with fundamental structural changes are far from being sufficiently understood. Here we report the detailed phase transformation pathway in the LMR cathode (Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2) during cycling for the samples prepared by hydro-thermal assistant method. It is found the transformation pathway of LMR cathode is closely correlated to its initial structure and preparation conditions. The results reveal that LMR cathode prepared by HA approach experiences a phase transformation from the layered structure to a LT-LiCoO2 type defect spinel-like structure (Fd-3m space group) and then to a disordered rock-salt structure (Fm-3m space group). The voltage fade can be well correlated with the Li ion insertion into octahedral sites, rather than tetrahedral sites, in both defect spinel-like structure and disordered rock-salt structure. The reversible Li insertion/removal into/from the disordered rock-salt structure is ascribed to the Li excess environment that can satisfy the Li percolating in the disordered rock-salt structure despite the increased kinetic barrier. Meanwhile, because of the presence of a great amount of oxygen vacancies, a significant decrease of Mn valence is detected in the cycled particle, which is below that anticipated for a potentially damaging Jahn-Teller distortion (+3.5). Clarification of the phase transformation pathway, cation redistribution, oxygen vacancy and Mn valence change undoubtedly provides insights into a profound understanding on the voltage fade, and capacity degradation of LMR cathode. The results also inspire us to further enhance the reversibility of LMR cathode via improving its surface structural stability.

Cation redistribution↗
DOE OSTI2014

Organic-Acid-Assisted Fabrication of Low-Cost Li-Rich Cathode Material (Li[Li1/6Fe1/6Ni1/6Mn1/2]O-2) for Lithium-Ion Battery

A novel Li-rich cathode Li[Li1/6Fe1/6Ni1/6Mn1/2]O-2 (0.4Li(2)MnO(3-)0.6LiFe(1/3)Ni(1/3)Mn(1/3)O(2)) was synthesized by a solgel method, which uses citric acid (SC), tartaric acid (ST), or adipic acid (SA) as a chelating agent. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the prepared samples were characterized by various methods. X-ray diffraction showed that single-phase materials are formed mainly with typical alpha-NaFeO2 layered structure (R3 m), and the SC sample has the lowest Li/Ni cation disorder. The morphological study indicated homogeneous primary particles in good distribution size (100 nm) with small aggregates. The Fe, Ni, and Mn valences were determined by X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis. In coin cell tests, the initial reversible discharge capacity of an SA electrode was 289.7 mAh g(-1) at the 0.1C rate in the 1.54.8 V voltage range, while an SC electrode showed a better cycling stability with relatively high capacity retention. At the 2C rate, the SC electrode can deliver a discharge capacity of 150 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles. Differential capacity vs voltage curves were employed to further investigate the electrochemical reactions and the structural change process during cycling. This low-cost, Fe-based compound prepared by the solgel method has the potential to be used as the high capacity cathode material for Liion batteries.

cathode↗