Mitigating First-Cycle Capacity Losses in NMC811 via Lithicone Layers Grown by Molecular Layer Deposition
Konstantin Egorov, Wengao Zhao, Kristian Knemeyer, Alejandro Nico Filippin, A. Giraldo, Corsin Battaglia
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Nickel-rich LiNi 1– x – y Mn x Co y O 2 (NMC, 1 – x – y ≥ 0.8) is currently considered one of the most promising cathode materials for high-energy-density automotive lithium-ion batteries. Here, we show that capacity losses occurring in balanced NMC811||graphite cells can be mitigated by lithicone layers grown by molecular layer deposition directly onto porous NMC811 particle electrodes. Lithicone layers with a stoichiometry of LiOC 0.5 H 0.3 as determined by elastic recoil detection analysis and a nominal thickness of 20 nm determined by ellipsometry on a flat reference substrate improve the overall NMC811||graphite cell capacity by ∼5% without negatively affecting the rate capability and long-term cycling stability.