Ni-rich
layered LiNi1–x–y
Co
x
Mn
y
O2 (NCM, x + y ≤
0.2) is an intensively studied class of cathode active
materials for lithium-ion batteries, offering the advantage of high
specific capacities. However, their reactivity is also one of the
major issues limiting the lifetime of the batteries. NCM degradation,
in literature, is mostly explained both by disintegration of secondary
particles (large anisotropic volume changes during lithiation/delithiation)
and by formation of rock-salt like phases at the grain surfaces at
high potential with related oxygen loss. Here, we report the presence
of intragranular nanopores in Li1+x
(Ni0.85Co0.1Mn0.05)1–x
O2 (NCM851005) and track their morphological
evolution from pristine to cycled material (200 and 500 cycles) using
aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM),
electron energy loss spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,
and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Pores are already
found in the primary particles of pristine material. Any potential
effect of TEM sample preparation on the formation of nanopores is
ruled out by performing thickness series measurements on the lamellae
produced by focused ion beam milling.
The presence of nanopores in pristine NCM851005 is in sharp contrast
to previously observed pore formation during electrochemical cycling
or heating. The intragranular pores have a diameter in the range between
10 and 50 nm with a distinct morphology that changes during cycling
operation. A rock-salt like region is observed at the pore boundaries
even in pristine material, and these regions grow with prolonged cycling.
It is suggested that the presence of nanopores strongly affects the
degradation of high-Ni NCM, as the pore surfaces apparently increase
(i) oxygen loss, (ii) formation of rock-salt regions, and (iii) strain-induced
effects within the primary grains. High-resolution STEM demonstrates
that nanopores are a source of intragranular cracking during cycling.