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Title: Atomic-scale constituting stable interface for improved LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathodes of lithium-ion batteries

Journal Article · · Nanotechnology
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [3]; ORCiD logo [4];  [5]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States)
  2. Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (United States); Univ. of Science and Technology Beijing (China)
  3. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Advanced Photon Source (APS)
  4. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  5. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Ascribed to their higher capacity and lower cost compared to conventional LiCoO2, the Ni-rich layered LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622) is now considered as one promising cathode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, it still suffers from some evident performance degradation, especially under high cutoff voltages (i.e., >4.3 V versus Li/Li+). The performance degradation typically is exhibited as capacity fading and voltage drop, mainly originating from an instable interface between the NMC622 and electrolyte as well as the evolution of the NMC structure. To improve the interfacial and structural stability of NMC cathodes, herein we deposited an ultrathin layer of Al2O3 coatings (<5 nm) conformally over NMC622 composite electrodes directly using atomic layer deposition (ALD). It was found that, under different upper cutoff voltages (4.3, 4.5, and 4.7 V), the ALD Al2O3 coatings enable enhanced performance of NMC622 cathodes with better cyclability and higher capacity. Particularly, the beneficial effects of the ALD Al2O3 coatings are more remarkable at higher upper cutoff voltages (4.5 and 4.7 V). Furthermore, the ALD coatings can significantly improve the rate capability of NMC622. To this end, we utilized a suite of characterization tools and performed a series of electrochemical tests to clarify the effects of the ALD Al2O3 coatings. This study revealed that the beneficial effects of the Al2O3 ALD coatings are multiple: (i) serving as an artificial layer of solid electrolyte interphase to mitigate undesirable interfacial reactions; (ii) acting as a physical barrier to inhibit metal dissolution of NMC; and (iii) forming a reinforced networked overcoating to boost the mechanical integrity of NMC cathodes. This study is favorable for designing high-performance NMC cathodes.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities Division; National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; OIA-1457888; AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1797784
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1760109
Journal Information:
Nanotechnology, Vol. 32, Issue 11; ISSN 0957-4484
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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