A path toward Co and Mn-free ultrahigh Ni-rich cathode – An inhibition of transition metal dissolution for next-generation LIBs

Abstract

In high-energy-density lithium batteries, Ni-rich Co and Mn cathodes are currently being used throughout the globe. There are several problems associated with the presence of Co and Mn in NCM cathodes, including high toxicity, high cost, severe dissolution of transition metals, and rapid surface degradation. Herein, we propose a new class of Co and/or Mn-free ultrahigh-Ni-rich LiNi0.95Mn0.025M0.025O2 (NMM95) and LiNi0.95Z0.025M0.025O2 (NZM95) cathodes with acceptable electrochemical performance are compared with Co and Mn-containing cathode. The stabilizing ions of magnesium and zirconium mitigate unwanted side reactions with the electrolyte, structural disintegration, and transition-metal dissolution, as well as active lithium loss. The NMM95 and NZM95 exhibit ~67.6% and ~75.7% capacity retention, respectively, over 100 cycles, which is superior to LiNi0.95Co0.025Mn0.025O2 (NCM95, 62.3%). The discovery provides a new horizon for the development of lithium-ion cathode materials without Co and/or Mn that are suitable for nextgeneration lithium-ion batteries due to their compositional tuning flexibility, low cost, extensive durability, excellent thermal stability, and ease of scalability.