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Title: Surface coating by mechanofusion modulates bulk charging pathways and battery performance of Ni-rich layered cathodes
Ni-rich layered oxides as high-capacity battery cathodes suffer from degradation at high voltages. We utilize a dry surface modification method, mechanofusion (MF), to achieve enhanced battery stability. The simplicity, high yield, and flexibility make it cost-effective and highly attractive for processing at the industrial scale. The underlying mechanisms responsible for performance improvement are unveiled by a systematic study combining multiple probes, e.g., 3D nano-tomography, spectroscopic imaging, in situ synchrotron diffraction, and finite element analysis (FEA). MF affects the bulk crystallography by introducing partially disordered structure, microstrain, and local lattice variation. Furthermore, the crack initiation and propagation pattern during delithiation are regulated and the overall mechanical fracture is reduced after such surface coating. We validate that MF can alter the bulk charging pathways. Such a synergic effect between surface modification and bulk charge distribution is fundamentally important for designing next-generation battery cathode materials.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1832707 1832613
PAR ID:
10412568
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume:
119
Issue:
49
ISSN:
0027-8424
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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