Interphase Stabilization of LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 Cathode for 5 V-Class All-Solid-State Batteries

Employing high voltage cobalt-free spinel LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (LNMO) as a cathode is promising for high energy density and cost-effectiveness, but it has challenges in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Here, it is revealed that the limitation of lithium argyrodite sulfide solid electrolyte (Li6 PS5 Cl) with the LNMO cathode is due to the intrinsic chemical incompatibility and poor oxidative stability. Through a careful analysis of the interphase of LNMO, it is elucidated that even the halide solid electrolyte (Li3 InCl6 ) with high oxidative stability can be decomposed to form resistive interphase layers with LNMO in ASSBs. Interestingly, with Fe-doping and a Li3 PO4 protective layer coating, LNMO with Li3 InCl6 displays stable cycle performance with a stabilized interphase at a high voltage (≈4.7 V) in ASSBs. The enhanced interfacial stability with the extended electrochemical stability window through doping and coating enables high electrochemical stability with LNMO in ASSBs. This work provides guidance for employing high-voltage cathodes in ASSBs and highlights the importance of stable interphases to enable stable cycling in ASSBs.

Enhancing the Ion Transport in LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 by Altering the Particle Wulff Shape via Anisotropic Surface Segregation

Spontaneous and anisotropic surface segregation of W cations in LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ particles can alter the Wulff shape and improve surface stability, thereby significantly improving the electrochemical performance. An Auger electron nanoprobe was employed to identify the anisotropic surface segregation, whereby W cations prefer to segregate to {110} surface facets to decrease its relative surface energy according to Gibbs adsorption theory and subsequently increase its surface area according to Wulff theory. Consequently, the rate performance is improved (e.g., by ∼5-fold at a high rate of 25C) because the {110} facets have more open channels for fast lithium ion diffusion. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling suggested that the surface segregation and partial reduction of W cation inhibit the formation of Mn³⁺ on surfaces to improve cycling stability via enhancing the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) stability at high charging voltages. This is the first report of using anisotropic surface segregation to thermodynamically control the particle morphology as well as enhancing CEI stability as a facile, and potentially general, method to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of battery electrodes. Combining neutron diffraction, an Auger electron nanoprobe, XPS, and other characterizations, we depict the underlying mechanisms of improved ionic transport and CEI stability in high-voltage LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ spinel materials.

Effect of Chromium and Niobium Doping on the Morphology and Electrochemical Performance of High-Voltage Spinel LiNi(0.5)Mn(1.5)O4 Cathode Material

Undoped, Cr-doped, and Nb-doped LiMn(1.5)Ni(0.5)O4 (LNMO) is synthesized via a PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)-combustion method by calcinating at 1000 °C for 6 h. SEM images show that the morphology of LNMO particles is affected by Cr and Nb doping. Cr doping results in sharper edges and corners and smaller particle size, and Nb doping leads to smoother edges and corners and more rounded and larger particles. The crystal and electron structure is investigated by XRD- and synchrotron-based soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (sXAS). Cr doping and light Nb doping (LiNb(0.02)Ni(0.49)Mn(1.49)O4) improve the rate performance of LNMO. To explore the reason for rate-performance improvement, we conducted potential intermittent titration technique (PITT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The Li(+) chemical diffusion coefficient at different state of charge (SOC) is calculated and suggests that both Cr and light Nb doping speeds up Li(+) diffusion in LNMO particles. The impedance spectra show that both R(SEI) and R(ct) are reduced by Cr and light Nb doping. The cycling performance is improved by Cr or Nb doping, and Cr doping increases both Coulombic efficiency and energy efficiency of LNMO at 1 C cycling. The LiCr(0.1)Ni(0.45)Mn(1.45)O4 remains at 94.1% capacity after 500 cycles at 1 C, and during the cycling, the Coulombic efficiency and energy efficiency remain at over 99.7% and 97.5%, respectively.