Flash Synthesis of High-Performance Sub-MicronLow-Disorder LiNixCoyAlzO2 Cathode Single Crystals

A rapid solid-state flash heat and quench (FHQ) synthesis approach has been used to facilitate the rapid formation of layered NCA Li-ion cathodes with low structural defects. LiNixCoyAlzO2 (NCA) materials prepared by FHQ reveal impressive gravimetric capacity at C/10 and 10C discharge rates (195 and 150 mAh g−1, respectively) after a few minutes of heating a co-precipitate mixture with LiOH, providing >95% reduction in energy needed for heat-treatment versus conventional solid state synthesis routes. Combined X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering with pair-distribution-function analysis, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy for a range of heat-treated samples are used to identify the point at which Ni2+−Li+ antisite defects are minimized in these materials, which is critical to their electrochemical performance.