Mechano-Chemo-Electrochemically Booming Nickel-Rich Layered Cathode Electrochemical Performance

The practical application of nickel-rich layered transition metal oxide is hampered by its fast capacity decay, deriving from the side reactions with electrolyte, crack formation caused by volume variation, and phase change near the surface during the charging/discharging processes. Here, we experimentally realize the mechano-chemo-electrochemical coupling effect of the nanolayer on the surface of nickel-rich layered transition metal oxide to greatly improve its electrochemical performance. According to detailed atomic structure analysis, this nanolayer facilitates consuming the residual lithium left on the surface of nickel-rich layered transition metal oxide, suppressing the side reactions with electrolyte, and reducing the crack formation due to the volume variation and the surface phase change on the surface during the long-term charging/discharging cycles. This design plays an effect in mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical aspects simultaneously on nickel-rich layered transition metal oxide, which is beneficial for their development.