Monitoring the morphology evolution of LiNi_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)O_(2)during high-temperature solid state synthesis via in situ SEM

The particle morphology determined by the sintering process is the director factor affecting the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich NMC cathode materials.To prepare the ideal NMC particles,it is of great significance to understand the morphological changes during sintering process.In this work,the morphology evolution of LiNi_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)O_(2)(NMC811)synthesis at temperature ranging from 300–1080℃were observed by in situ SEM.The uniform mixture of spherical Ni_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)(OH)_(2)precursor and lithium sources(LiOH)was employed by high temperature solid-state process inside the SEM,which enables us to observe morphology changes in real time.The results show that synthetic reaction of LiNi_(0.8)Mn_(0.1)Co_(0.1)O_(2)usually includes three processes:the raw materials’dehydration,oxidation,and combination,accompanied by a significant reduction in particle size,which is important reference to control the synthesis temperature.As heating temperature rise,the morphology of mixture also changed from flake to brick-shaped.However,Ni nanoparticle formation is apparent at higher temperature~1000℃,suggesting a structural transformation from a layered to a rock-salt-like structure.Combining the in-situ observed changes in size and morphology,and with the premise of ensuring the morphology change from flakes to bricks,reducing the sintering temperature as much as possible to prevent excessive reduction in particle size and layered to a rock-salt structure transformation is recommended for prepare ideal NMC particles.

Electron energy levels determining cathode electrolyte interphase formation

Cathode electrolyte interphase(CEI)has a significant impact on the performance of rechargeable batteries and is gaining increasing attention.Understanding the fundamental and detailed CEI formation mechanism is of critical importance for battery chemistry.Herein,a diverse of characterization tools are utilized to comprehensively analyze the composition of the CEI layer as well as its formation mechanism by LiCoO_(2)(LCO)cathode.We reveal that CEI is mainly composed of the reduction products of electrolyte and it only parasitizes the degraded LCO surface which has transformed into a disordered spinel structure due to oxygen loss and lithium depletion.Based on the energy diagram and the chemical potential analysis,the CEI formation process has been well explained,and the proposed CEI formation mechanism is further experimentally validated.This work highlights that the CEI formation process is nearly identical to that of the anode-electrolyte-interphase,both of which are generated due to the electrolyte directly in contact with the low chemical potential electrode material.This work can deepen and refresh our understanding of CEI.

Synthesis and photoluminescence kinetics of Ce^(3+)-doped CsPbI3 QDs with near-unity PLQY

CsPbI_(3)perovskite quantum dots(QDs)have great potential in optoelectronic devices due to their suitable band-gaps,but low photoluminescence quantum yields(PLQYs)and poor phase stability seriously impede their practical application.This paper reports the synthesis of Ce^(3+)-doped CsPbI_(3)QDs by a hot injection method.In the presence of the dopant(Ce^(3+)),the highest PLQY of CsPbI_(3)QDs reached 99%,i.e.,near-unity PLQY,and the photoluminescence(PL)emission of CsPbI_(3)QDs could be well maintained compared to that of the undoped ones.The photoluminescence kinetics of Ce^(3+)-doped CsPbI_(3)QDs was investigated by the ultrafast transient absorption technologies,which exhibited that the Ce^(3+)not only increased the density of excitonic states close to the high energy excitonic states(HES),but also provided more emissive channels.Moreover,the radiative recombination rates calculated by the combination of PL lifetime and PLQY further illustrated the Pb2+vacancies were filled with Ce^(3+)ions so that the PL quenching of the CsPbI_(3)QDs could be effectively prevented.The theoretic analysis uncovered the mechanism of the high PLQY and stable PL emission of the Ce^(3+)-doped CsPbI_(3)QDs.