Cracking vs. surface reactivity in high-nickel cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Lee, Steven; Su, Laisuo; Mesnier, Alex; Cui, Zehao; Manthiram, Arumugam

doi:10.1016/j.joule.2023.09.006

Cracking vs. surface reactivity in high-nickel cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Journal Article · Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Joule

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2023.09.006· OSTI ID:2217483

Lee, Steven ^[1]; Su, Laisuo ^[2]; Mesnier, Alex ^[2]; Cui, Zehao ^[2]; ^[2]

University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States); University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States)

High-nickel layered oxide cathodes LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂ (NMC) experience microcracks during cycling. This can expose fresh cathode surfaces for parasitic reactions and isolate active cathode material from the conductive electrode matrix, resulting in impedance increase and capacity fade. The commonly held belief attributes microcracks to anisotropic lattice volume changes of primary particles during cycling. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest that certain electrolytes might reduce microcracks in NMC cathodes during deep cycling. This raises a crucial question on the origin of microcracks: do microcracks exacerbate surface stability, or does poor surface stability contribute to microcrack formation? This perspective aims to provide context and expound this “chicken or egg” dilemma. We contend that the consequence of surface reactivity on the cycle life of high-Ni cathodes is more pronounced than that of particle cracking. Here, we hypothesize that particle cracking is more of a symptom of severe surface reactivity rather than a cause of capacity fade.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); Welch Foundation

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007762

OSTI ID:: 2217483

Journal Information:: Joule, Journal Name: Joule Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 7; ISSN 2542-4351

Publisher:: Elsevier - Cell PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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