Over-lithiated layered oxide (OLO) materials were coated with a PEDOT:PSS conducting polymer via a simple wet-coating method. The prepared samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical properties of the samples were determined by galvanostatic testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). PEDOT:PSS coated cathode materials showed better rate capability and cyclability between 2.0 V and 4.6 V. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data imply that the improved electrochemical performance of coated OLO is due to the suppression of the formation and growth of the solid electrolyte interface. 1-7 Among the many candidates, over-lithiated layered oxide (OLO), reported by the Thackeray group in 2005, exhibits a higher capacity (>200 mAh/g) and can reduce the use of expensive cobalt. Therefore, OLO is receiving attention as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). 8,9 However, OLO experiences an inevitable oxygen loss and, subsequently, an irreversible capacity during the initial charge and discharge process. Additionally, the layered structure of OLO transforms into the spinel phase on cycling. The Li 2 MnO 3 phase in OLO materials exhibits a relatively low electronic conductivity owing to the insulating characteristics of the Li 2 MnO 3 component. 8,9 Referring to the reports by the Thackeray group, OLO material properties such as particle size, morphology control, compositional control by cationic substitution, and surface modification of parent OLO materials have been investigated to improve electrochemical properties. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Among the various researches published, investigations of surface modification mostly aim to decrease the initial irreversible capacity at initial cycles and suppress the side reaction between the cathode and electrolyte. Most materials for surface modification can be categorized into three groups: inorganic oxides, carbonbased materials, and polymer-based materials. The inorganic materials, which include AlF 3 , AlPO 4 , CoPO 4 , TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 , Al 2 O 3 , MnO 2 , ZnO, ZrO, MgO, Sm 2 O 3 , Li-Mn-PO 4 , and Li-Ni-PO 4 , are known to decrease the irreversible capacity and improve the electrochemical performances of OLO materials owing to the enforcement of stability on the surface in the high-voltage region.
17-31The carbon materials, including graphene-based materials, are employed to improve the electronic conductivity of OLO cathode materials.19,32-34 Also, surface modification by conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole, has been recently reported to provide improved electronic conductivity as well as a thin protective layer on OLO cathode materials. 35 Among various conducting polymers, thin film Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) is known to exhibit superior electronic conductivity.36 Also, * Electrochemical Society Active Member. z E-mail: wonchangchoi@kist.r...