Improving Fast‐Charging Capability of High‐Voltage Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode under Long‐Term Cyclability through Co‐Doping Strategy

Abstract

AbstractCo‐free spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is emerging as a promising contender for designing next generation high‐energy‐density and fast‐charging Li‐ion batteries, due to its high operating voltage and good Li+ diffusion rate. However, further improvement of the Li+ diffusion ability and simultaneous resolution of Mn dissolution still pose significant challenges for their practical application. To tackle these challenges, a simple co‐doping strategy is proposed. Compared to Pure‐LNMO, the extended lattice in resulting LNMO‐SbF sample provides wider Li+ migration channels, ensuring both enhanced Li+ transport kinetics, and lower energy barrier. Moreover, Sb creating structural pillar and stronger TM─F bond together provides a stabilized spinel structure, which stems from the suppression of detrimental irreversible phase transformation during cycling related to Mn dissolution. Benefiting from the synergistic effect, the LNMO‐SbF material exhibits a superior reversible capacity (111.4 mAh g−1 at 5C, and 70.2 mAh g−1 after 450 cycles at 10C) and excellent long‐term cycling stability at high current density (69.4% capacity retention at 5C after 1000 cycles). Furthermore, the LNMO‐SbF//graphite full cell delivers an exceptional retention rate of 96.9% after 300 cycles, and provides a high energy density at 3C even with a high loading. This work provides valuable insight into the design of fast‐charging cathode materials for future high energy density lithium‐ion batteries.