Ultrathin CeO2 coating for improved cycling and rate performance of Ni-rich layered LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2 cathode materials

In this study, we have successfully coated the CeO2 nanoparticles (CeONPs) layer onto the surface of the Ni-rich layered LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2 cathode materials by a wet chemical method, which can effectively improve the structural stability of electrode. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to determine the structure, morphology, elemental composition and electronic state of pristine and surface modified LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2. The electrochemical testing indicates that the 0.3 mol% CeO2-coated LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2 demonstrates excellent cycling capability and rate performance, the discharge specific capacity is 161.7 mA h g−1 with the capacity retention of 86.42% after 100 cycles at a current rate of 0.5 C, compared to 135.7 mA h g−1 and 70.64% for bare LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2, respectively. Even at 5 C, the discharge specific capacity is still up to 137.1 mA h g−1 with the capacity retention of 69.0%, while the NCM only delivers 95.5 mA h g−1 with the capacity retention of 46.6%. The outstanding electrochemical performance is assigned to the excellent oxidation capacity of CeO2 which can oxidize Ni2+ to Ni3+ and Mn3+ to Mn4+ with the result that suppress the occurrence of Li+/Ni2+ mixing and phase transmission. Furthermore, CeO2 coating layer can protect the structure to avoid the occurrence of side reaction. The CeO2-coated composite with enhanced structural stability, cycling capability and rate performance is a promising cathode material candidate for lithium-ion battery.