Cobalt‐Free Cathode Materials: Families and their Prospects

Abstract

With the rapid growth of global electro‐mobility, the demand for cobalt is rapidly increasing because it is currently an indispensable component of the cathode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the use of Co raises moral issues caused by its exploitation and the geographic limitations of Co resources may result in risking the supply of LIBs. Thus, the development of cobalt‐free (Co‐free) cathodes has become a focus in the LIBs industry. Currently, Co‐free cathodes of lithium‐rich oxides, nickel‐rich layered oxides and spinel lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) are promising candidates but face severe problems. This review article is the first to synthesize and present the progress of Co‐free cathodes made with Li‐rich oxides, Ni‐rich layered oxides and spinel LNMO, identifying their performance, problems and potential development trends. In particular, the roles of cobalt are further clarified, and the full‐cell performance and related commercialization prospects of the three above‐mentioned Co‐free cathodes are also objectively assessed. The focus of this work is to distill detailed and timely insights from the corresponding research progress on these materials and to demonstrate the associated urgency, challenges and opportunities in this field, thus facilitating a faster industrialization of Co‐free cathodes.

Revisiting phase transformation mechanisms in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 high voltage cathodes with operando microdiffraction

“…1 LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (LMNO) is an advanced cathode active material, promising for battery electric vehicle applications due to its high voltage at all states-of-charge, Co-free and Ni-poor formula, and relatively stable crystal framework. [2][3][4] In addition, LMNO is capable of high rate (dis)charge capability, even at large particle sizes due to the spinel structure's excellent Li ion conductivity with 3D diffusion pathways. 5,6 Utilization of LMNO is hindered by two key issues.…”

Revisiting Phase Transformation Mechanisms in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 High Voltage Cathodes with Operando Microdiffraction

“…Higher performance Li-ion battery electrodes are required for the next-generation of fast-charging and high power devices . LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 (LMNO) is an advanced cathode active material, promising for battery electric vehicle applications due to its high voltage at all states-of-charge, Co-free and Ni-poor formula, and relatively stable crystal framework. − In addition, LMNO is capable of high rate (dis)­charge capability, even at large particle sizes due to the spinel structure’s excellent Li ion conductivity with 3D diffusion pathways. , Utilization of LMNO is hindered by two key issues. The first problem is instability at high potential in conventional electrolytes, which causes transition metal leaching, , self-discharge, and irreversible capacity loss .…”

The significance of detecting imperceptible physical/chemical changes/reactions in lithium-ion batteries: a perspective

“…66 In simple terms, there are three possible main effects of transition metal dissolution and shuttle on batteries. 67 (1) M x + participate in the formation of an SEI, which increases the internal resistance of the battery, resulting in severe polarization. 68 (2) The replacement reaction between M x + and the SEI would destroy the SEI and consume Li continuously, resulting in the drop of battery voltage and capacity.…”