New insight on correlation between the electrochemical stability and the thermal stability of high nickel cathode materials

Abstract

Cycle stability and thermal safety are critical to the commercialization of nickel-rich layered materials, yet whether there is a potential correlation between these two factors is still controversial. Herein, the relationship between the cycle stability and thermal stability of nickel-rich cathode materials have been systematically studied through five different calcination temperatures of Li[Ni0.83Co0.12Mn0.05]O2 (NCM83) cathode materials. The research results confirm that the cycle stability and thermal safety of nickel-rich cathode materials do not necessarily show a positive correlation. Actually, with the calcination temperature elevated, the thermal stability of the NCM83 is enhanced, while the cycle stability is degraded. This opposite correlation is not commonly reported in previous literatures. In this work, systematical characterizations demonstrate that under the experimental conditions, the capacity retention of NCM83 is mainly determined by the Li/Ni cation disorder and H2-H3 irreversible phase transition, which is optimal at lower calcination temperature. Meanwhile, the thermal stability is mainly impacted by thermal expansion characteristics and interfacial stability of cathode material, and it is dramatically improved by the mechanical strength of the secondary particles reinforced at high calcinated temperature. This study provides some new insights on understanding and designing of the high-energy cathode materials with long cycle-life and superior safety.