Surface modification by sulfated zirconia on high-capacity nickel-based cathode materials for Li-ion batteries. (20th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woo, Sang-Gil; Han, Jae-Hee; Kim, Ki Jae; Kim, Jae-Hun; Yu, Ji-Sang; Kim, Young-Jun
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 153(2015)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2015-01-20
• Subjects: Sulfated zirconia -- surface modification -- Ni-rich oxide -- cathode -- lithium secondary battery; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: Sulfated zirconia is successfully synthesized and uniformly coated onto a nickel-rich layered lithium oxide. The electrochemical properties of the sulfated-zirconia-coated LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 electrode are greatly improved. Sulfated zirconia coating is effective in reducing side reactions between the active materials and electrolyte. Sulfated zirconia coating contributes to forming a more stable solid electrolyte interphase layer on the cathode surface. ABSTRACT: Sulfated zirconia was successfully synthesized and uniformly coated onto a nickel-rich layered lithium oxide (LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 ), and investigated with a view to its potential use as a cathode material in Li-ion batteries. The uniformity of this sulfated zirconia coating was confirmed through electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the sulfated-zirconia-coated LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 electrode were found to be greatly improved compared to those of pristine LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 and zirconia-coated LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2, especially at elevated temperature (60 °C). These results are directly attributed to the sulfated zirconia coating, which is effective in reducing side reactions by preventing direct contact between the active materials and electrolyte solutions, as well as forming a more stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the active material surface.