Mitigating the Rock‐Salt Phase Transformation in Disordered LNMO Through Synergetic Solid‐State AlF <sub>3</sub> /LiF Modifications
High-voltage disordered spinel LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> is a promising cathode material for high power density in lithium-ion batteries. However, it suffers from poor cycle life associated with the rock-salt phase transformation. This study presents a straightforward synthesis approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> through a synergistic solid-state modification with LiF and AlF<sub>3</sub>. This dual modification promotes rapid Li⁺ diffusion, enables near-complete delithiation/lithiation, approaching the theoretical capacity of disordered LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, and, more importantly, effectively mitigates the formation of the rock-salt phase, thereby enhancing structural stability, as confirmed by operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD). As a result, the optimized LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (10 mg AlF<sub>3</sub> + 30 mg LiF) delivers high reversible capacities of 142.1, 139.1, 129.2, 121.6, 110.3, 93.5, and 76.1 mAh∙g<sup>-1</sup> at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1.0C, 2.0C, 3.0C, 4.0C, and 5.0C, respectively. Full cells using graphite as the anode and a high-loading cathode exhibit excellent cycling performance. They retain 80% of their capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5C within a voltage window of 3.5-4.9 V with cathode loading of 11 mg∙cm<sup>-2</sup>. The findings of this study will significantly advance high-power LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> materials, offering improved battery life and thereby enhancing their potential for practical applications.
Authors
- Carlos Escudero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8716-9391)
- Elías Martínez
- Ashley P. Black (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7929-5144)
- Jordi Llorca (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7447-9582)
- Andreu Cabot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7533-3251)
- Jordi Jacas Biendicho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5981-6168)
- Sharona Horta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3259-1218)
- Xuan Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7027-7667)
- María Ibáñez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5013-2843)
- Xingqi Chang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2604-0233)
Institutions
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (AT)
- ALBA Synchrotron (Spain) (ES)
- Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2025-12-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202515962
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria
- European Commission
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación