Gas Evolution Kinetics in Overlithiated Positive Electrodes and its Impact on Electrode Design

Abstract Increasing lithium contents within the lattice of positive electrode materials is projected in pursuit of high‐energy‐density batteries. However, it intensifies the release of lattice oxygen and subsequent gas evolution during operations. This poses significant challenges for managing internal pressure of batteries, particularly in terms of the management of gas evolution in composite electrodes—an area that remains largely unexplored. Conventional assumptions postulate that the total gas evolution is estimated by multiplying the total particle count by the quantities of gas products from an individual particle. Contrarily, this investigation on overlithiated materials—a system known to release the lattice oxygen—demonstrates that loading densities and inter‐particle spacing in electrodes significantly govern gas evolution rates, leading to distinct extents of gas formation despite of an equivalent quantity of released lattice oxygen. Remarkably, this study discoveres that O2 and CO2 evolution rates are proportional to 1O2 concentration by the factor of second and first‐order, respectively. This indicates an exceptionally greater change in the evolution rate of O2 compared to CO2 depending on local 1O2 concentration. These insights pave new routes for more sophisticated approaches to manage gas evolution within high‐energy‐density batteries

Suppressing High-Current-Induced Phase Separation in Ni-Rich Layered Oxides by Electrochemically Manipulating Dynamic Lithium Distribution

Understanding the cycling rate-dependent kinetics is crucial for managing the performance of batteries in high-power applications. Although high cycling rates may induce reaction heterogeneity and affect battery lifetime and capacity utilization, such phase transformation dynamics are poorly understood and uncontrollable. In this study, synchrotron-based operando X-ray diffraction is performed to monitor the high-current-induced phase transformation kinetics of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2. The sluggish Li diffusion at high Li content induces different phase transformations during charging and discharging, with strong phase separation and homogeneous phase transformation during charging and discharging, respectively. Moreover, by exploiting the dependence of Li diffusivity on the Li content and electrochemically tuning the initial Li content and distribution, phase separation pathway can be redirected to solid solution kinetics at a high charging rate of 7 C. Finite element analysis further elucidates the effect of the Li-content-dependent diffusion kinetics on the phase transformation pathway. The findings suggest a new direction for optimizing fast-cycling protocols based on the intrinsic properties of the materials

Detrimental effect of high-temperature storage on sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries

© 2022 Author(s).The all-solid-state battery (ASSB) has become one of the most promising next-generation battery systems, since the aspect of safety has emerged as a crucial criterion for new large-scale applications such as in electric vehicles. Despite the recent remarkable progress in the performance enhancement, the real-world implementation of the ASSB still requires full comprehension/evaluation of its properties and performance under various practical operational conditions. Unlike batteries employed in conventional electronic devices, those in electric vehicles - the major application that the ASSB is expected to be employed - would be exposed to wide temperature variations (-20 to ∼70 °C) at various states of charges due to their outdoor storage and irregular discharge/rest/charge conditions depending on vehicle drivers' usage patterns. Herein, we investigate the reliability of a Li6PS5Cl-based ASSB system in practically harsh but plausible storage conditions and reveal that it is vulnerable to elevated-temperature storage as low as 70 °C, which, in contrast to the common belief, causes significant degradation of the electrolyte and consequently irreversible buildup of the cell resistance. It is unraveled that this storage condition induces the decomposition of Li6PS5Cl in contact with the cathode material, involving the SOx gas evolution particularly at charged states, which creates a detrimental porous cathode/electrolyte interface, thereby leading to the large interfacial resistance. Our findings indicate that the stability of the solid electrolyte, which has been believed to be failsafe, needs to be carefully revisited at various practical operational conditions for actual applications in ASSBs.11Nsciescopu

Molecular Mechanism of Local Drug Delivery with Paclitaxel-Eluting Membranes in Biliary and Pancreatic Cancer: New Application for an Old Drug

Implantation of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) is palliation for patients suffering from inoperable malignant obstructions associated with biliary and pancreatic cancers. Chemotherapeutic agent-eluting stents have been developed because SEMS are susceptible to occlusion by tumor in-growth. We reported recently that paclitaxel-eluting SEMS provide enhanced local drug delivery in an animal model. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which paclitaxel-eluting stents attenuate tumor growth. We investigated the signal transduction pathways underlying the antiproliferative effects of a paclitaxel-eluting membrane (PEM) implanted in pancreatic/cholangiocarcinoma tumor bearing nude mice. Molecular and cellular alterations were analyzed in the PEM-implanted pancreatic/cholangiocarcinoma xenograft tumors by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. The quantities of paclitaxel released into the tumor and plasma were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Paclitaxel from the PEM and its diffusion into the tumor inhibited angiogenesis, which involved suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) through regulation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1) and increased apoptosis. Moreover, implantation of the PEM inhibited tumor-stromal interaction-related expression of proteins such as CD44, SPARC, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and vimentin. Local delivery of paclitaxel from a PEM inhibited growth of pancreatic/cholangiocarcinoma tumors in nude mice by suppressing angiogenesis via the mTOR and inducing apoptosis signal pathway

Structurally robust lithium-rich layered oxides for high-energy and long-lasting cathodes

O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides, known for mitigating irreversible transition metal migration and voltage decay, provide suitable framework for exploring the inherent properties of oxygen redox. Here, we present a series of O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides exhibiting minimal structural disordering and stable voltage retention even with high anionic redox participation based on the nominal composition. Notably, we observe a distinct asymmetric lattice breathing phenomenon within the layered framework driven by excessive oxygen redox, which includes substantial particle-level mechanical stress and the microcracks formation during cycling. This chemo-mechanical degradation can be effectively mitigated by balancing the anionic and cationic redox capabilities, securing both high discharge voltage (~ 3.43 V vs. Li/Li+) and capacity (~ 200 mAh g−1) over extended cycles. The observed correlation between the oxygen redox capability and the structural evolution of the layered framework suggests the distinct intrinsic capacity fading mechanism that differs from the previously proposed voltage fading mode.Y

Structurally robust lithium-rich layered oxides for high-energy and long-lasting cathodes

Abstract O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides, known for mitigating irreversible transition metal migration and voltage decay, provide suitable framework for exploring the inherent properties of oxygen redox. Here, we present a series of O2-type lithium-rich layered oxides exhibiting minimal structural disordering and stable voltage retention even with high anionic redox participation based on the nominal composition. Notably, we observe a distinct asymmetric lattice breathing phenomenon within the layered framework driven by excessive oxygen redox, which includes substantial particle-level mechanical stress and the microcracks formation during cycling. This chemo-mechanical degradation can be effectively mitigated by balancing the anionic and cationic redox capabilities, securing both high discharge voltage (~ 3.43 V vs. Li/Li+) and capacity (~ 200 mAh g−1) over extended cycles. The observed correlation between the oxygen redox capability and the structural evolution of the layered framework suggests the distinct intrinsic capacity fading mechanism that differs from the previously proposed voltage fading mode

A Kinetic Indicator of Ultrafast Nickel-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes

Elucidating high-rate cycling-induced nonequilibriumelectrodereactions is crucial for developing extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries.Herein, we unveiled the distinct rate capabilities of a series ofNi-rich layered oxide (NRLO) cathodes by quantitatively establishingtheir dynamic structure-kinetics relationships. Contrary toconventional views, we discovered electrode kinetic properties obtained ex-situ near equilibrium states failed to assess the effectiverate capability of NRLOs at ultrafast C rates. Further, the kineticphase heterogeneity, characterized by the dynamic separations in in-situ X-ray diffraction patterns and deviations in NRLO c-axis lattice parameters, exclusively correlated with thecapacity reduction under XFC and became an effective indicator ofthe NRLO rate capability. Enhancing the cycling temperature boostedthe rate capability of studied NRLOs by similar to 10%, which was furtherverified to mitigate the kinetic phase heterogeneity during XFC. Overall,this study lays the groundwork for tuning the kinetic phase heterogeneityof electrodes to develop ultrafast batteries.N

A Kinetic Indicator of Ultrafast Nickel-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes

Elucidating high-rate cycling-induced nonequilibrium electrode reactions is crucial for developing extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries. Herein, we unveiled the distinct rate capabilities of a series of Ni-rich layered oxide (NRLO) cathodes by quantitatively establishing their dynamic structure–kinetics relationships. Contrary to conventional views, we discovered electrode kinetic properties obtained ex-situ near equilibrium states failed to assess the effective rate capability of NRLOs at ultrafast C rates. Further, the kinetic phase heterogeneity, characterized by the dynamic separations in in-situ X-ray diffraction patterns and deviations in NRLO c-axis lattice parameters, exclusively correlated with the capacity reduction under XFC and became an effective indicator of the NRLO rate capability. Enhancing the cycling temperature boosted the rate capability of studied NRLOs by ∼10%, which was further verified to mitigate the kinetic phase heterogeneity during XFC. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for tuning the kinetic phase heterogeneity of electrodes to develop ultrafast batteries