High-Energy-Density Li-Ion Battery Reaching Full Charge in 12 min

Abstract

The continuous expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market is driving the demand for high-energy-density batteries using Ni-rich cathodes. However, the operation of Ni-rich cathodes under extreme-fast-charging (XFC) conditions compromises their structural integrity, resulting in rapid capacity fading; realizing Ni-rich cathodes operable under XFC conditions while maximizing energy density and long-term cycling performance is challenging. This study introduces a Li[Ni0.92Co0.06Al0.01Nb0.01]O2 (Nb-NCA93) cathode with a high energy density of 869 Wh kg–1. The presence of Nb in the Nb-NCA93 cathode induces the grain refinement of its secondary particles, alleviating internal stress and preventing heterogeneity of Li concentration during cycling. A resulting full-cell reaches full charge within 12 min and retains 85.3% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles (cycled at full depth of discharge). In addition, the Nb-NCA93 cathode generates limited heat under XFC conditions due to its refined microstructure.

Scope and significance of transition metal oxide nanomaterials for next-generation Li-ion batteries

“…20,38,56 Recently, utilizing several Ni-rich compositions, Sun's group has shown that the modification of particles by nanostructuring and utilizing concentration-gradient has unlocked new-fast charging potential up to 12 min fullcharging | conventional discharging rates for 1000 cycles in a full-cell setup. 57 58 As each solution tackles a major issue correlated to the Ni-rich materials, researchers also focused on other similar layered transition metal oxide subclassifications.…”

“…Creating a dense hydroxide or carbonate precipitates became the major choice for synthesizing materials for cathodes in Li-ion batteries. [50][51][52]57,[131][132][133][134][135][136][137] Despite its popularity, it is chosen for synthesizing microspheres with different grain morphology, as shown in Fig. 12a.…”

Microstructure- and Interface-Modified Ni-Rich Cathode for High-Energy-Density All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

“…The excellent cycling performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of the B coating–stabilized cathode–SE interface and B-doping–modified cathode microstructure. To investigate the Li + intercalation stability of the cathodes in ASSBs (including at fast charge/discharge rates), ASSBs featuring the cathodes were charged and discharged for five cycles at increasing C-rates (0.1 C → 4 C), and after five cycles at 4 C, the ASSBs were charged and discharged at 0.1 C for 3 cycles and then at 0.5 C for subsequent 25 cycles (Figure c) . This fast charge–discharge protocol was repeated three times.…”

“…To investigate the Li + intercalation stability of the cathodes in ASSBs (including at fast charge/discharge rates), ASSBs featuring the cathodes were charged and discharged for five cycles at increasing Crates (0.1 C → 4 C), and after five cycles at 4 C, the ASSBs were charged and discharged at 0.1 C for 3 cycles and then at 0.5 C for subsequent 25 cycles (Figure 2c). 19 This fast charge− discharge protocol was repeated three times. In general, the Bdopant modification of NCM90 tends to improve the rate capability of the resulting ASSB with the ASSB featuring a BCD-NCM90 cathode displaying the best stability when charged at high rates.…”

Atomic-level insights into the first cycle irreversible capacity loss of Ni-rich layered cathodes for Li-ion batteries

“…Microstructure modifications are achieved, through boron (B) doping, 58,62,63 while the synergistic effects of suitable coatings involving zirconium (Zr) were also explored. 39 Additionally, dopants such as aluminium (Al), 64 cerium (Ce), 65 tin (Sn), 59 antimony, 66 niobium (Nb), 67 tantalum (Ta), 68 tungsten (W) 57,60 and molybdenum 19,33,36,69,70 were employed to stabilize the bulk structure by reducing internal strain, mitigating the formation of detrimental microcracks and inhibiting the growth or consolidation of primary particles. The incorporation of these elements results in an improved structural stability of NCMs, consequently elevating the overall electrochemical behavior of the associated electrodes.…”