Enhanced electrochemical performance of O3-type Li0.6[Li0.2Mn0.8]O2 for lithium ion batteries via aluminum and boron dual-doping

An O3 type Li_0.6[Li_0.2Mn_0.8]O₂ lithium-rich material has a high reversible capacity due to the synergistic oxidation and reduction of anion and cation. However, the anion oxidation reaction that compensates the charge leads to a partial release of oxygen and the collapse of the structure inevitably. Here, we improve the structural stability of Li_0.6[Li_0.2Mn_0.8]O₂ by simultaneously introducing Al ions and B ions. Al ions and B ions randomly occupy octahedral and tetrahedral positions, hindering the migration of Mn ions and expanding the unit cell, resulting in a stable structure and promoting Li⁺ migration. The co-doped sample has better electrochemical performance than the bare material, and the capacity retention increases from 62.48% to 82.48% after 80 cycles at 0.1C rate, and still provides a capacity of 226 mAh g⁻¹ between 2 and 4.8 V.     

Stabilizing structure and voltage decay of lithium-rich cathode materials

A major challenge in the discovery of high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is to control the voltage stability and Li⁺ kinetics in lithium-rich layered oxide (LrLO) cathode materials. Although these materials can provide a higher specific capacity compared to the current industrially used cathodes, the substantial voltage decay and low Li⁺ diffusion during long term cycling is a serious reason for hindering their practical applications. In order to suppress the voltage decay in lithium-rich cathode materials, herein we introduce the Ti doping into Li_1.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.17Co_0.07O₂ cathodes. Also, the influence of Ti doping on the crystalline internal structure, surface chemistry, cycling retention, and Li⁺ kinetics of Li_1.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.17Co_0.07O₂ cathodes have been focused in this work. The Ti doping effectively enhances the structural/interfacial stability of the cathode and accelerates the Li⁺ kinetics by expanding the lattice, thereby significantly realizing its voltage/cycling stability and high-rate capability. Experimental results show that Ti-doped LrLO (1% Ti) has achieved high electrochemical kinetics as the discharge cycle retention increased from 61.58% (pristine) to 80.0% after 180 cycles at 1 C, with 150.3 mAh g^?1 showing superior high-rate performance at 5C. Ex-situ XRD results confirmed the better structural stability of Ti-doped LrLO after high-rate electrochemical cycling. Our findings provide a suitable element doping strategy for regulating the voltage decay and cycle retention of LrLO, thus promoting their real-world application in future batteries.