Strategic Approach to Diversify Design Options for Li‐Ion Batteries by Utilizing Low‐Ni Layered Cathode Materials

Abstract

Over the past few years, considerable attention has been paid to high‐Ni layered cathode materials for high‐energy Li‐ion batteries (LIBs); however, these materials intrinsically have low thermal stability. Alternatively, the high‐voltage operation of low‐Ni materials may be one of the attractive ways to provide various options for designing advanced LIBs. Here, the structural, electrochemical, and thermal properties of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) and LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) are investigated by setting up the same initial discharge capacity. In the high‐voltage region, NCM523 exhibits less anisotropic lattice distortion and maintains wider Li‐ion channels than NCA. After long‐term cycling, reduced Ni ions are observed near the cracks, grain boundaries, or between the primary particles in both materials, however, the chemical states of the Ni ions in NCA are more heterogeneously distributed, and the particle pulverization and microcrack propagation are more prominent; the structural integrity and electrochemical properties of the material are degraded. Moreover, the cyclability and thermal stability of NCM523 are superior to those of NCA, despite the higher charge cut‐off voltage of the former. Therefore, the utilization of low‐Ni layered cathode materials operated at high voltage is a strategic approach to expand the design factors of advanced LIBs.

A ZIF-8 composite SiO2-enhanced high-performance PEO-based solid-state electrolyte for Li-metal batteries

“…The application of lithium batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles has greatly reduced the use of fossil energy, 1 thereby reducing CO 2 emissions, and has played a positive role in promoting carbon peaking and carbon neutrality global strategies. However, the current commercial LIBs generally use liquid electrolytes, and their defects, such as security issues, liquid leakage, and dendrite problems, severely limit their further development.…”

Anion-Containing Solvation Structure Reconfiguration Enables Wide-Temperature Electrolyte for High-Energy-Density Lithium-Metal Batteries

“…With the booming development of 3C digital devices and electric vehicles (EVs), there is a huge demand for higher-density batteries working under a wide temperature range (−40 ∼ 60 °C), , such as cold regions and hot desert conditions . Lithium-metal batteries with commercial LiNi x Co y Mn 1– x – y O 2 (NCM) materials as cathodes are considered to be one of the most promising battery technologies due to the intrinsic high specific capacity and a high working voltage . However, the practical application of Li||NCM batteries has been greatly limited especially under high temperatures (>50 °C) or high operating voltages (>4.3 V) due to the unstable CEI caused by the parasitic reaction of LiPF 6 -based ester electrolyte. − In addition, the low-temperature electrochemical performance has been hampered by solvents with high freezing point and strong binding energy with Li + such as EC (36.4 °C). , …”

Aqueous Nickel-Ion Batteries with Long Lifetime, High Capacity, and High Rate Capability Based on K2V6O16·1.64H2O Cathodes

“…The ever-growing energy demands promote the upgrading of rechargeable batteries to satisfy the need of environment-friendliness, high capacity, and safety. − Among versatile battery systems, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have occupied the main market in fields of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices due to their high energy and power densities. − Nevertheless, the development of LIBs is limited, owing to the harsh production condition and the high safety risk of flammable organic electrolytes. , As alternatives, aqueous batteries featuring high ionic conductivity, intrinsic safety, and cost-effectiveness have attracted dramatic attention in grid-scale energy storage. , For instance, lithium (Li)-, sodium (Na)-, − magnesium (Mg)-, aluminum (Al)-, − potassium (K)-, − calcium (Ca)-, , and zinc (Zn) − -based aqueous batteries. In particular, aqueous nickel (Ni)-ion batteries (NiIBs) hold great potential in fields of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices in terms of high volumetric capacity (8133 mA h cm –3 ) and thermal stability. − Moreover, the small ionic radius (69 pm) of Ni 2+ is beneficial to the fast kinetics during electrochemical processes . However, sluggish solid-state diffusion kinetics and the large polarization effect induced by the strong electrostatic interaction between guest Ni ions and the host electrode materials lead to low capacity, limited cycling performance, and poor rate capability similar to other divalent metal-ion carriers as reported .…”