Investigation of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode particles after 300 discharge/charge cycling in a lithium-ion battery by analytical TEM

Using analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques reveal a zigzag layer on surface of the cycled particles of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode after 300 discharge/charge cycles. The Ni, Mn content in the zigzag layer of the cycled particle has decreased rapidly from interior to edge of the zigzag layer of the cycled particles. The structure of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ oxide was gradually destructed from hexagonal cell with P3₁12 at interior region to fcc lattice of α-NaFeO₂ at edge of the zigzag layer of the cycled particles. These experimental data provide the compositional and structural origins of the capacity decrease in the Li-ion battery.