Mn Interdiffusion Mobility Controlled By Simple Drying Process for Cobalt Free Core-Shell Ni Rich Cathode Material in Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Shim Jinha , Chung Woowon , Bang Jin Ho 
Published: November 2022

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) become an essential part of many portable devices and even electric vehicles than ever before. Among the various cathode materials, Ni rich layered cathode material has big attention because it has higher specific capacity and energy density. However, at a delithiated state, unstable Ni4+ leads to oxygen release and structural degradation and as a result, irreversible phase transition from R3m to electrochemical inactive Fm3m is observed. So, various strategy is applying to overcome this limitation like three-component system (NCM) or surface coating. However, NCM still cannot solve that problem perfectly and surface coating makes a problem like reducing specific capacity caused by insulating coating material (Al2O3, MnO2...etc) And also, this day, Co free structure of Ni rich cathode material has received more great attention as an alternative to NCM because of its hazardous toxicity and increasing price of Co. At this perspective, many studies have demonstrated Core-Shell or FCG (Full Concentration Gradient) structure can make better structural stability without Co metal than surface coating, which has insulated coating materials. In addition, core shell structure is easier to control the composition than FCG structure. However, in Core-Shell structure, interdiffusion of shell metal to core deteriorate the stability of Core-Shell material, so it needs very delicate heat treatment. And generally, to prevent interdiffusion from traditional core-shell structure, lower synthesis temperature or high valence metal dopant would be needed and that leads lower initial specific capacity or additional doped metal. So, we prevent the Mn interdiffusion by changing valence state of Mn in precursor through simple convection drying process not vacuum drying without decreasing synthesis temperature and additional dopant. Atomic interdiffusion in layered metal oxide structures follows the atomic migration through octahedral and tetrahedral sites. In case of various stated Mn, higher valence state Mn has higher energy barrier to migrate between each Oh and Td sites. Based on this theory, surface Mn rich shell can be oxidized easily under convection oven drying and highly oxidized Mn will be remained better than lower state Mn during high temperature calcination. These more remained Mn in shell can protect the particle surface from electrolyte attack and also higher valence state Mn makes slightly more Ni2+ due to thermodynamic stability and charge balance of Mn on the surface. And that Ni2+ in Li slab (Cation mixing) acts as a pillar to suppress irreversible phase transition of Ni rich materials. Through this surface passivation, phase transition (layered to rock salt ) propagation surface to bulk can be blocked. Furthermore, mechanical pulverization of secondary particle is also prevented because of less permeating electrolyte into bulk structure. Therefore, Li ion diffusion will not be sluggish after cycling as observed by GITT. In addition, more clear Ni rich core assure high specific capacity and faster electrochemical reaction kinetic without severe capacity fading. And also, in Full cell test (using graphite as anode), convection oven dried sample has better structure stability and that means our strategy for core-shell LiNi0.97Mn0.03O2 sample can be good candidate to alternate conventional cathode active material for Lithium ion battery practically. As prepared materials, atomic distribution was observed by EDS and XPS analysis. This study suggests useless of vacuum drying and more cost effective way to prepare Co free Core Shell LiNi0.97Mn0.03O2 cathode material for Lithium Ion Batteries.