Formation of an Anti-Core–Shell Structure in Layered Oxide Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

The layered → rock-salt phase transformation in the layered dioxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries is believed to result in a “core–shell” structure of the primary particles, in which the core region remains as the layered phase while the surface region undergoes a phase transformation to the rock-salt phase. Using transmission electron microscopy, here we demonstrate the formation of an “anti-core–shell” structure in cycled primary particles with a formula of LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂, in which the surface and subsurface regions remain as the layered structure while the rock-salt phase forms as domains in the bulk with a thin layer of the spinel phase between the rock-salt core and the skin of the layered phase. Formation of this anti-core–shell structure is attributed to oxygen loss at the surface that drives the migration of oxygen from the bulk to the surface, thereby resulting in localized areas of significantly reduced oxygen levels in the bulk of the particle, which subsequently undergoes phase transformation to the rock-salt domains. The formation of the anti-core–shell rock-salt domains is responsible for the reduced capacity, discharge voltage, and ionic conductivity in cycled cathodes

Formation of an Anti-Core–Shell Structure in Layered Oxide Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

The layered → rock-salt phase transformation in the layered dioxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries is believed to result in a “core–shell” structure of the primary particles, in which the core region remains as the layered phase while the surface region undergoes a phase transformation to the rock-salt phase. Using transmission electron microscopy, here we demonstrate the formation of an “anti-core–shell” structure in cycled primary particles with a formula of LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂, in which the surface and subsurface regions remain as the layered structure while the rock-salt phase forms as domains in the bulk with a thin layer of the spinel phase between the rock-salt core and the skin of the layered phase. Formation of this anti-core–shell structure is attributed to oxygen loss at the surface that drives the migration of oxygen from the bulk to the surface, thereby resulting in localized areas of significantly reduced oxygen levels in the bulk of the particle, which subsequently undergoes phase transformation to the rock-salt domains. The formation of the anti-core–shell rock-salt domains is responsible for the reduced capacity, discharge voltage, and ionic conductivity in cycled cathodes

Atomic Insight into the Layered/Spinel Phase Transformation in Charged LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ Cathode Particles

Layered LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ (NCA) holds great promise as a potential cathode material for high energy density lithium ion batteries. However, its high capacity is heavily dependent on the stability of its layered structure, which suffers from a severe structure degradation resulting from a not fully understood layered → spinel phase transformation. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction, we probe the atomic structure evolution induced by the layered → spinel phase transformation in the NCA cathode. We show that the phase transformation results in the development of a particle structure with the formation of complete spinel, spinel domains, and intermediate spinel from the surface to the subsurface region. The lattice planes of the complete and intermediate spinel phases are highly interwoven in the subsurface region. The layered → spinel transformation occurs via the migration of transition metal (TM) atoms from the TM layer into the lithium layer. Incomplete migration leads to the formation of the intermediate spinel phase, which is featured by tetrahedral occupancy of TM cations in the lithium layer. The crystallographic structure of the intermediate spinel is discussed and verified by the simulation of electron diffraction patterns

Facet-Dependent Rock-Salt Reconstruction on the Surface of Layered Oxide Cathodes

The surface configuration of pristine layered oxide cathode particles for Li-ion batteries significantly affects the electrochemical behavior, which is generally considered to be a thin rock-salt layer in the surface. Unfortunately, aside from its thin nature and spatial location on the surface, the true structural nature of this surface rock-salt layer remains largely unknown, creating the need to understand its configuration and the underlying mechanisms of formation. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy, we have found a correlation between the surface rock-salt formation and the crystal facets on pristine LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ primary particles. It is found that the originally (014̅) and (003) surfaces of the layered phase result in two kinds of rock-salt reconstructions: the (002) and (111) rock-salt surfaces, respectively. Stepped surface configurations are generated for both reconstructions. The (002) configuration is relatively flat with monatomic steps while the (111) configuration shows significant surface roughening. Both reconstructions reduce the ionic and electronic conductivity of the cathode, leading to a reduced electrochemical performance

Rock-Salt Growth-Induced (003) Cracking in a Layered Positive Electrode for Li-Ion Batteries

For the first time, (003) cracking is observed and determined to be the major cracking mechanism for the primary particles of Ni-rich layered dioxides as the positive electrode for Li-ion batteries. Using transmission electron microscopy techniques, here we show that the propagation and fracturing of platelet-like rock-salt phase along the (003) plane of the layered oxide are the leading cause for the cracking of primary particles. The fracturing of the rock-salt platelet is induced by the stress discontinuity between the parent layered oxide and the rock-salt phase. The high nickel content is considered to be the key factor for the formation of the rock-salt platelet and thus the (003) cracking. The (003)-type cracking can be a major factor for the structural degradation and associated capacity fade of the layered positive electrode

Facet-Dependent Rock-Salt Reconstruction on the Surface of Layered Oxide Cathodes

The surface configuration of pristine layered oxide cathode particles for Li-ion batteries significantly affects the electrochemical behavior, which is generally considered to be a thin rock-salt layer in the surface. Unfortunately, aside from its thin nature and spatial location on the surface, the true structural nature of this surface rock-salt layer remains largely unknown, creating the need to understand its configuration and the underlying mechanisms of formation. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy, we have found a correlation between the surface rock-salt formation and the crystal facets on pristine LiNi_0.80Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ primary particles. It is found that the originally (014̅) and (003) surfaces of the layered phase result in two kinds of rock-salt reconstructions: the (002) and (111) rock-salt surfaces, respectively. Stepped surface configurations are generated for both reconstructions. The (002) configuration is relatively flat with monatomic steps while the (111) configuration shows significant surface roughening. Both reconstructions reduce the ionic and electronic conductivity of the cathode, leading to a reduced electrochemical performance