Science Daily May 8, 2024
On charging the Li-deficient frameworks in lithium (Li)-ion cathodes become vulnerable to lattice strain and structural and/or chemo-mechanical degradation, resulting in rapid capacity deterioration and thus short battery life. Guided by fundamental principles of structural chemistry and achieved through an improved ceramic synthesis process, an international team of researchers (the Netherlands, China) developed an approach that addressed these issues using the integration of chemical short-range disorder (CSRD) into oxide cathodes, which involved the localized distribution of elements in a crystalline lattice over spatial dimensions, spanning a few nearest-neighbour spacings. They demonstrated how the introduction of CSRD substantially affected the crystal structure of layered Li cobalt oxide cathodes effectively preventing detrimental sliding of crystal slabs and structural deterioration during Li removal. It affected the electronic structure, leading to improved electronic conductivity. These attributes improved Li-ion storage capabilities, cycle life and rate capability. CSRD could be introduced in additional layered oxide materials through improved chemical co-doping, to further enhance structural and electrochemical stability. According to the researchers their findings open new avenues for the design of oxide cathodes… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Crystal and electronic structure information of the CSRD−LiCoO2 cathode. Credit: Nature volume 629, pages341–347 (2024)Â