In
recent years, with the rapid development of electric vehicles,
the ever-fluctuating cobalt price has become a decisive constraint
on the supply chain of the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery industry.
To address these challenges, a new and unreported cobalt-free (Co-free)
material with a general formula of LiNi0.8Fe0.1Mn0.1O2 (NFM) is introduced. This Co-free material
is synthesized via the coprecipitation method and examined by using
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and density functional theory (DFT)
to investigate the morphological, crystal-structure, and electrochemical
properties. The NFM cathode can deliver a specific capacity of 202.6
mA h g–1 (0.1C, 3.0–4.5 V), a specific energy
capacity of 798.8 W h kg–1 in material level (0.1C,
3.0–4.5 V), a reasonable rate capability, and a stable cycling
performance (81.1% discharge capacity retention after 150 cycles at
10C, 3.0–4.3 V). Although the research on this subject is still
in its early stage, the capability of this novel cathode material
as a practical candidate for applications in next-generation Co-free
lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is highlighted in this study.