Abstract
Lithium-rich layered oxide materials are considered as potential cathode materials for future high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high operating voltage and relatively high specific capacity. However, perceptible issues such as poor rate performance, poor capacity retention, and voltage degradation during cycling need to be improved before the successful commercialization of the material. In this report, zirconia coated Li1.2Ni0.16Mn0.56Co0.08O2 (NMC) (where ZrO2 = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt%) materials are synthesized using a sol–gel assisted ball milling approach. A comparison of structural, morphological and electrochemical properties is examined to elucidate the promising role of ZrO2 coating on the performance of the NMC cathode. A uniform and homogeneous ZrO2 coating is observed on the surface of NMC particles as evident by TEM elemental mapping images. The ZrO2 coated NMCs exhibit significantly improved electrochemical performance at a higher C-rate as compared to pristine material. 1.5% ZrO2 coated NMC demonstrates better cycling stability (95% capacity retention) than pristine NMC (77% capacity retention) after 50 cycles. All ZrO2 coated NMC materials demonstrated improved thermal stability compared to pristine material. The difference in onset temperature of 2 wt% ZrO2 coated and pristine NMC is 20 °C. The improved electrochemical performance of ZrO2 coated NMC can be attributed to the stabilization of its surface structure due to the presence of ZrO2.
Highlights
Umair Nisar, a Ramesh Petla, b Sara Ahmad Jassim Al-Hail,b Aisha Abdul Quddus,c Haya Monawwar, d Abdul Shakoor, *a Rachid Essehlie and Ruhul Amin*e
One of the serious issues of this class of materials is the rapid voltage and capacity degradation with successive cycling.[20,21,22,23,24]. Apart from this, these materials show poor initial coulombic efficiency, poor rate capability, structural instability, and safety issues which retard their commercialization.[20,21,22]. Most of these problems are linked to the unstable interface between the cathode and the organic electrolyte, especially at high operating voltage leading to the development of unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI).[25,26,27]
It is pertinent to mention that the small particle size is considered helpful in improving the overall electrochemical performance, especially the rate capability of the material.[6]
Summary
Umair Nisar, a Ramesh Petla, b Sara Ahmad Jassim Al-Hail,b Aisha Abdul Quddus,c Haya Monawwar, d Abdul Shakoor, *a Rachid Essehlie and Ruhul Amin*e. The electrochemical charge/discharge cycles were performed at different current rates to check the stability pristine and coated electrodes. The ZrO2 coated NMC materials show even smaller particles as compared to pristine NMC due to the ball milling effect and the presence of ZrO2 on the surface that may impeded the particle growth during the heat treatment process.
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