Molecular Dynamics, Physical Properties, Diffusion Coefficients and Activation Energy of the Lithium Oxide (Li-O) and Sodium Oxide (Na-O) Electrolyte (Cathode)

This work is a simulation model with the LAMMPS calculation code of an electrode based on alkali metal oxides (lithium, sodium and potassium) using the Lennard Jones potential. For a multiplicity of 8*8*8, we studied a gap-free model using molecular dynamics. Physical quantities such as volume and pressure of the Na-O and Li-O systems exhibit similar behaviors around the thermodynamic ensembles NPT and NVE. However, for the Na2O system, at a minimum temperature value, we observe a range of total energy values;in contrast, for the Li2O system, a minimum energy corresponds to a range of temperatures. Finally, for physicochemical properties, we studied the diffusion coefficient and activation energy of lithium and potassium oxides around their melting temperatures. The order of magnitude of the diffusion coefficients is given by the relation Dli-O >DNa-O for the multiplicity 8*8*8, while for the activation energy, the order is well reversed EaNa-O > EaLi-O.

High-Voltage and Fast-Charging Lithium Cobalt Oxide Cathodes: From Key Challenges and Strategies to Future Perspectives

Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)with the“double-high”characteristics of high energy density and high power density are in urgent demand for facilitating the development of advanced portable electronics.However,the lithium ion(Li+)-storage performance of the most commercialized lithium cobalt oxide(LiCoO_(2),LCO)cathodes is still far from satisfactory in terms of high-voltage and fast-charging capabilities for reaching the double-high target.Herein,we systematically summarize and discuss high-voltage and fast-charging LCO cathodes,covering in depth the key fundamental challenges,latest advancements in modification strategies,and future perspectives in this field.Comprehensive and elaborated discussions are first presented on key fundamental challenges related to structural degradation,interfacial instability,the inhomogeneity reactions,and sluggish interfacial kinetics.We provide an instructive summary of deep insights into promising modification strategies and underlying mechanisms,categorized into element doping(Li-site,cobalt-/oxygen-site,and multi-site doping)for improved Li+diffusivity and bulkstructure stability;surface coating(dielectrics,ionic/electronic conductors,and their combination)for surface stability and conductivity;nanosizing;combinations of these strategies;and other strategies(i.e.,optimization of the electrolyte,binder,tortuosity of electrodes,charging protocols,and prelithiation methods).Finally,forward-looking perspectives and promising directions are sketched out and insightfully elucidated,providing constructive suggestions and instructions for designing and realizing high-voltage and fast-charging LCO cathodes for next-generation double-high LIBs.

Accurate estimation of Li/Ni mixing degree of lithium nickel oxide cathode materials

Li/Ni mixing negatively influences the discharge capacity of lithium nickel oxide and high-nickel ternary cathode materials.However,accurately measuring the Li/Ni mixing degree is difficult due to the preferred orientation of labbased XRD measurements using Bragg–Brentano geometry.Here,we find that employing spherical harmonics in Rietveld refinement to eliminate the preferred orientation can significantly decrease the measurement error of the Li/Ni mixing ratio.The Li/Ni mixing ratio obtained from Rietveld refinement with spherical harmonics shows a strong correlation with discharge capacity,which means the electrochemical capacity of lithium nickel oxide and high-nickel ternary cathode can be estimated by the Li/Ni mixing degree.Our findings provide a simple and accurate method to estimate the Li/Ni mixing degree,which is valuable to the structural analysis and screening of the synthesis conditions of lithium nickel oxide and high-nickel ternary cathode materials.

Mechanism of Capacity Fading Caused by Mn(Ⅱ)Deposition on Anodes for Spinel Lithium Manganese Oxide Cell

The capacity fade of spinel lithium manganese oxide in lithium-ion batteries is a bottleneck challenge for the large-scale application.The traditional opinion is that Mn（Ⅱ） ions in the anode are reduced to the metallic manganese that helps for catalyzing electrolyte decomposition.This could poison and damage the solid electrolyte interface（SEI） film,leading to the the capacity fade in Li-ion batteries.We propose a new mechanism that Mn（Ⅱ） deposites at the anode hinders and/or blocks the intercalation/de-intercalation of lithium ions,which leads to the capacity fade in Li-ion batteries.Based on the new mechanism assumption,a kind of new structure with core-shell characteristic is designed to inhabit manganese ion dissolution,thus improving electrochemical cycle performance of the cell.By the way,this mechanism hypothesis is also supported by the results of these experiments.The LiMn2-xTixO4 shell layer enhances cathode resistance to corrosion attack and effectively suppresses dissolution of Mn,then improves battery cycle performance with LiMn_2O_4 cathode,even at high rate and elevated temperature.

Critical role of corrosion inhibitors modified by silyl ether functional groups on electrochemical performances of lithium manganese oxides

Lithium manganese oxides(Li Mn2 O4, LMO) have attracted significant attention as important cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs), which require fast charging based on their intrinsic electrochemical properties. However, these properties are limited by the rapid fading of cycling retention, particularly at high temperatures, because of the severe Mn corrosion triggered by the chemical reaction with fluoride(F-) species existing in the cell. To alleviate this issue, three types of silyl ether(Si–O)-functionalized task-specific additives are proposed, namely methoxytrimethylsilane, dimethoxydimethylsilane, and trimethoxymethylsilane. Ex-situ NMR analyses demonstrated that the Si-additives selectively scavenged the F-species as Si forms new chemical bonds with F via a nucleophilic substitution reaction due to the high binding affinity of Si with F-, thereby leading to a decrease in the F concentration in the cell. Furthermore, the addition of Si-additives in the electrolyte did not significantly affect the ionic conductivity or electrochemical stability of the electrolyte, indicating that these additives are compatible with conventional electrolytes. In addition, the cells cycled with Si-additives exhibited improved cycling retention at room temperature and 45 °C. Among these candidates, a combination of MTSi and the LMO cathode was found to be the most suitable choice in terms of cycling retention(71.0%), whereas the cell cycled with the standard electrolyte suffered from the fading of cycling retention triggered by Mn dissolution(64.4%). Additional ex-situ analyses of the cycled electrodes using SEM, TEM, EIS, XPS, and ICP-MS demonstrated that the use of Si-additives not only improved the surface stability of the LMO cathode but also that of the graphite anode, as the Si-additives prevent Mn corrosion. This inhibits the formation of cracks on the surface of the LMO cathode, facilitating the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase layer on the surface of the graphite anode. Therefore, Si-additives modified by Si–O functional groups can be effectively used to increase the overall electrochemical performance of the LMO cathode material.

Revealing the correlation between structure evolution and electrochemical performance of high-voltage lithium cobalt oxide

Lithium cobalt oxide(LCO)is the dominating cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)deployed in consumer electronic devices for its superior volumetric energy density and electrochemical performances.The constantly increasing demands of higher energy density urge to develop high-voltage LCO via a variety of strategies.However,the corresponding modification mechanism,especially the influence of the long-and short-range structural transitions at high-voltage on electrochemical performance,is still not well understood and needs further exploration.Based on ss-NMR,in-situ X-ray diffraction,and electrochemical performance results,it is revealed that the H3 to H1-3 phase transition dictates the structural reversibility and stability of LCO,thereby determining the electrochemical performance.The introduction of La and Al ions could postpone the appearance of H1-3 phase and induce various types of local environments to alleviate the volume variation at the atomic level,leading to better reversibility of the H1-3 phase and smaller lattice strain,and significantly improved cycle performance.Such a comprehensive long-range,local,and electronic structure characterization enables an in-depth understanding of the structural evolution of LCO,providing a guiding principle for developing high-voltage LCO for high energy density LIBs.

Unexpected Selective Absorption of Lithium in Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Membranes

Lithium plays an increasingly important role in scientific and industrial processes, and it is extremely important to extract lithium from a high Mg^(2+)/Li^(+) mass ratio brine or to recover lithium from the leachate of spent lithiumion batteries. Conventional wisdom shows that Li^(+) with low valence states has a much weaker adsorption(and absorption energy) with graphene than multivalent ions such as Mg^(2+). Here, we show the selective adsorption of Li^(+) in thermally reduced graphene oxide(rGO) membranes over other metal ions such as Mg^(2+), Co^(2+), Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+), or Fe^(2+). Interestingly, the adsorption strength of Li^(+) reaches up to 5 times the adsorption strength of Mg^(2+),and the mass ratio of a mixed Mg^(2+)/Li^(+) solution at a very high value of 500 : 1 can be effectively reduced to 0.7 : 1 within only six experimental treatment cycles, demonstrating the excellent applicability of the rGO membranes in the Mg^(2+)/Li^(+) separation. A theoretical analysis indicates that this unexpected selectivity is attributed to the competition between cation–π interaction and steric exclusion when hydrated cations enter the confined space of the rGO membranes.

Facile construction of a multilayered interface for a durable lithium‐rich cathode

Layered lithium-rich manganese-based oxide(LRMO)has the limitation of inevitable evolution of lattice oxygen release and layered structure transformation.Herein,a multilayer reconstruction strategy is applied to LRMO via facile pyrolysis of potassium Prussian blue.The multilayer interface is visually observed using an atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope.Combined with the electrochemical characterization,the redox of lattice oxygen is suppressed during the initial charging.In situ X-ray diffraction and the high-resolution transmission electron microscope demonstrate that the suppressed evolution of lattice oxygen eliminates the variation in the unit cell parameters during initial(de)lithiation,which further prevents lattice distortion during long cycling.As a result,the initial Coulombic efficiency of the modified LRMO is up to 87.31%,and the rate capacity and long-term cycle stability also improved considerably.In this work,a facile surface reconstruction strategy is used to suppress vigorous anionic redox,which is expected to stimulate material design in high-performance lithium ion batteries.

Upcycling the spent graphite/LiCoO_(2) batteries for high-voltage graphite/LiCoPO_(4)-co-workable dual-ion batteries

The worldwide proliferation of portable electronics has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).However,traditional recycling methods still have limitations because of such huge amounts of spent LIBs.Therefore,we proposed an ecofriendly and sustainable double recycling strategy to concurrently reuse the cathode(LiCoO_(2))and anode(graphite)materials of spent LIBs and recycled LiCoPO_(4)/graphite(RLCPG)in Li^(+)/PF^(-)_(6) co-de/intercalation dual-ion batteries.The recycle-derived dualion batteries of Li/RLCPG show impressive electrochemical performance,with an appropriate discharge capacity of 86.2 mAh·g^(-1) at25 mA·g^(-1) and 69%capacity retention after 400 cycles.Dual recycling of the cathode and anode from spent LIBs avoids wastage of resources and yields cathode materials with excellent performance,thereby offering an ecofriendly and sustainable way to design novel secondary batteries.

Enhancing electrochemical capacity and interfacial stability of lithium-ion batteries through side reaction modulation with ultrathin carbon nanotube film and optimized lithium cobalt oxide particle size

Lithium cobalt oxide(LCO),the first commercialized cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries,is known for high voltage and capacity.However,its application has been limited by relatively low capacity and stability at high C-rates.Reducing particle size is considered one of the most straightforward and effective strategies to enhance ion transfer,thus increasing the rate performance.However,side reactions are simultaneously enhanced as the specific surface area increases.Herein,we investigate the impact of LCO particles with varying size distributions and optimize the particle size.To modulate the side reactions associated with particle size reduction,an ultrathin carbon nanotube film(UCNF)is introduced to coat the cathode surface.With this simple process and optimized particle size,the rate performance improves significantly,normal commercial LCO achieves 118 mA·h·g^(−1)at 3.0–4.3 V and 20 C(0.72 mA·h·cm^(−2)),corresponding to power density of 8732 W·kg^(−1).This method is applied to high voltage as well,152 mA·h·g^(−1)at 3.0–4.6 V and 20 C(0.99 mA·h·cm^(−2))was achieved with high-voltage LCO(HVLCO),corresponding to power density of 11,552 W·kg^(−1).The cycling stability is also enhanced,with the capacity retention maintaining more than 96%after 100 cycles at 0.1 C.For the first time,UCNF is demonstrated to suppress the excessive decomposition of the electrolytes and solvents by blocking electron injection/extraction between LCO and electrolyte solution.Our findings provide a simple method for improving LCO rate performance,especially at high C-rates.

Spinel Phases LiRE_xMn_(2-x)O_4(RE=Nd, Ce) as Cathode for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Several series of LiRE x Mn 2-x O 4(RE=Ce, Nd) samples prepared at different contents and in different rare earth metals substitution were studied in order to further understand the dependence of the electrochemical performance on the doping rare earth metals. These cathodes were more tolerant to repeat lithium extraction and insertion than a standard LiMn 2O 4 spinel electrode in spite of a small reduction in the initial capacity. X ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that the Mn 4+ contents for spinel LiMn 2O 4 directly affected the initial capacity and cyclability of LiMn 2O 4.

Dual-shell silicate and alumina coating for long lasting and high capacity lithium ion batteries

Here we demonstrate a theory-driven, novel dual-shell coating system of Li_(2)SrSiO_(4) and Al_(2)O_(3), achieved via a facile and scalable sol-gel technique on LiCoO_(2) electrode particles. The optimal thickness of each coating can lead to increased specific capacity(~185 m Ah/g at 0.5 C-rate) at a cut-off potential of 4.5 V, and greater cycling stability at very high C rates(up to 10 C) in half-cells with lithium metal. The mechanism of this superior performance was investigated using a combination of X-ray and electron characterization methods. It shows that the results of this investigation can inform future studies to identify still better dual-shell coating schemes, achieved by such industrially feasible techniques, for application on similar, nickel-rich cathode materials.

Effect of lithium content on the electrochemical properties of solid-state-synthesized spinel Li_xMn_2O_4

Lithium-substituted LixMn2O4 （x = 0.98, 1.03, 1.08） spinel samples were synthesized by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction （XRD） patterns show that the prepared samples have a spinel structure with a space group of Fd 3 m. The cubic lattice parameter was determined from least-squares fitting of the XRD data. Li1.03Mn2O4 shows high capacity at both low and high current densities, while Lil.08Mn2O4shows good cycling performance but relatively low capacity when cycled at both room and elevated temperatures. A variety of electrochemical methods were employed to investigate the electrochemical properties of these series of spinel LixMn2O4.

High power nano-LiMn_2O_4 cathode materials with high-rate pulse discharge capability for lithium-ion batteries

Nano-LiMn2O4 cathode materials with nano-sized particles are synthesized via a citric acid assisted sol-gel route. The structure, the morphology and the electrochemical properties of the nano-LiMn204 are investigated. Compared with the micro-sized LiMn2O4, the nano-LiMn2O4 possesses a high initial capacity （120 mAh/g） at a discharge rate of 0.2 C （29.6 mA/g）. The nano-LiMn2O4 also has a good high-rate discharge capability, retaining 91% of its capacity at a discharge rate of 10 C and 73~ at a discharge rate of 40 C. In particular, the nano-LiMn2O4 shows an excellent high-rate pulse discharge capability. The cut-off voltage at the end of 50-ms pulse discharge with a discharge rate of 80 C is above 3.40 V, and the voltage returns to over 4.10 V after the pulse discharge. These results show that the prepared nano-LiMn2O4 could be a potential cathode material for the power sources with the capability to deliver very high-rate pulse currents.

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of sol-gel derived LiMn_(2)O_(4)cathode for lithium-ion batteries

Spinel LiMn_(2)O_(4)has been considered to be the most promising alternative cathode material for the new generation of lithium-ion batteries in terms of its low cost,non-toxicity and easy manufacture.The spinel lithium manganese mixed oxides were prepared from lithium nitrate,manganese nitrate and citric acid by a sol-gel method and were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis,X-ray diffraction,cyclic voltammetry and constant current charging-discharging technique.The different sintering temperatures for different time have strong influence on the structure,initial discharge capacity and cycling performance of the lithium manganese oxide.It shows that the lithium manganese oxides sintered at 700℃for 10 h have a single spinel structure and better electrochemical properties.The initial discharging capacity can be up to 125.9 mAh·g^(-1),even after six cycles,it still retains 109.1 mAh·g^(-1).

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of LiLa_(0.01)Mn_(1.99)O_(3.99)F_(0.01) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Spinel lithium manganese oxide cathode materials were synthesized using the ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel method. The synthesized samples were investigated by differential thermal analysis （DTA） and thermogravimetry （TG）, powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, cyclic voltammetry （CV）, and the charge-discharge test. TG-DTA shows that significant mass loss occurs in two temperature regions during the synthesis of LiLa0.01Mn1.9903.99F0.01. XRD data indicate that all samples exhibit the same pure spinel phase, and LiLa0.01Mn1.9903.99F0.01 and LiLa0.01Mn1.9904 samples have a better crystallinity than LiMn2O4. SEM images indicate that LiLa0.01Mn1.9903.99F0.01 has a slightly smaller particle size and a more regular morphology structure with narrow size distribution. The charge-discharge test reveals that the initial capacities of LiMn2O4, LiLa0.01Mn1.99O4, and LiLa0.01Mn1.99O3.99F0.01 are 130, 123, and 126 mAh·g^-1, respectively, and the capacity retention rates of the initial value, after 50 cycles, are 84.8%, 92.3%, and 92.1%, respectively. The electrode coulomb efficiency and CV reveal that the electrode synthesized by the ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel （UASG） method has a better re- versibility than the electrode synthesized by the sol-gel method.

Comparative study of LiNiO_2, LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0. 2)O_2 and LiNi_(0.75)Al_(0.25)O_2 for lithium-ion batteries

The comparative study of LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.2)O_2 and LiNi_(0.75)A_(0.25)O_2 wascarried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical methods. The results show that Co and Aldoping suppress the phase transition during charge-discharge. The experiments indi cate thatLiNi_(0.75)Al_(0.25)O_2 has the better cycle-ability and over-charge resistance comparing withLiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.2)O_2. The interfacial behavior was studied by use of electrochemical impedancespectroscopy (EIS). The results show that LiNi_(0.75)Al_(0.25)O_2 has a slightly larger polarizationcharacter than LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.2)O_2.

Upcycling of spent LiCoO_(2) cathodes via nickel- and manganese-doping

Direct recycling has been regarded as one of the most promising approaches to dealing with the increasing amount of spent lithium‐ion batteries(LIBs).However,the current direct recycling method remains insufficient to regenerate outdated cathodes to meet current industry needs as it only aims at recovering the structure and composition of degraded cathodes.Herein,a nickel(Ni)and manganese(Mn)co‐doping strategy has been adopted to enhance LiCoO_(2)(LCO)cathode for next‐generation high‐performance LIBs through a conventional hydrothermal treatment combined with short annealing approach.Unlike direct recycling methods that make no changes to the chemical composition of cathodes,the unique upcycling process fabricates a series of cathodes doped with different contents of Ni and Mn.The regenerated LCO cathode with 5%doping delivers excellent electrochemical performance with a discharge capacity of 160.23 mAh g^(−1) at 1.0 C and capacity retention of 91.2%after 100 cycles,considerably surpassing those of the pristine one(124.05 mAh g^(−1) and 89.05%).All results indicate the feasibility of such Ni–Mn co‐doping‐enabled upcycling on regenerating LCO cathodes.

Nonlinear Electrical Properties of SnO_2-Li_2O-Nb_2O_5 Varistor System

The electrical properties of (Nb, Li)-doped SnO2 ceramics as a new varistor material were investigated. The sample 97.95%SnO2·0.50%Li2O·0.05%Nb2O5 (mol fraction) sintered at 1450= possess the highest density (ρ=6.77 g/cm3) and nonlinear electrical coefficient (α=11.6). The substitution of Sn4+ with Li+ increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies, together with the formation of solid solution, which will increase the sintering rate greatly and decrease the optimized sintering temperature. The substitution of Sn4+ with Li+ and the variation of temperature play very important effects on the densities, dielectric constant, nonlinear electrical properties and other characteristics of the samples. The properties of the grain boundary barrier and the microstructural characteristics were investigated to ensure the effect of the dopants and the temperature. A grain boundary defect barrier model was used to illustrate the grain boundary barriers formation in SnO2-Li2O-Nb2O5 varistors.

Effects of chromium doping on performance of LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(1.5)O_4 cathode material

In order to improve the cycle and rate performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, LiCr2 Ni0.5 Mn1.5 O （0≤Y≤0.15） particles were Y -Y -Y 4 synthesized by the sucrose-aided combustion method. The effects of Cr doping in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 on the structures and electrochemical properties were investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, cyclic voltammetry （CV）, galvanostatic charge-discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectrum （EIS）. The results indicate that the LiCr2 Ni0.5 Mn1.5 O possess a spinel structure and small particle size, and LiCr0.2Ni0.4Mn1.4O4exhibits Y -Y -Y 4 the best cyclic and rate performance. It can deliver discharge capacities of 143 and 104 mA·h/g at 1C and 10C, respectively, with good capacity retention of 96.5% at 1C after 50 cycles.