Nb5+ ions doping and Li3PO4 artificial layer synergetic strategy to strengthen structure, stabilize interface, and promote ions migration for high-performance Ni-rich cathode

A feasible synergetic strategy of doping Nb⁵⁺ ions and constructing Li₃PO₄ artificial cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer is successfully employed to decorate Ni-rich layered LiNi_0.83Co_0.11Mn_0.06O₂ (NCM83) cathode powders. Alleviated structural degradation, suppressed thickening of the CEI film, and promoted Li⁺ ions migration can be simultaneously realized by the well-designed synergetic modification strategy, which benefit from reinforced host lattice framework, stable cathode/electrolyte interface, and broadened Li⁺ ions migration channels. As expected, the cell assembled with optimal modified NCM83 (NCM83-NP) electrode displays excellent cycling stability and rate property. Specifically, the NCM83-NP based cell delivers an initial discharge specific capacity of 173.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 1.0C and 25 °C with a capacity retention ratio of 88.8 % after 200cycles. Significantly, the cell exhibits a high discharge specific capacity of 156.2 mAh g⁻¹ even at 5.0C and then easily restore to 190.6 mAh g⁻¹ when the current density is abruptly set back to 0.1C. Consequently, there is a reasonable prospect that the proposed synergetic modification strategy may provide sound enlightenments for fabricating high-performance Ni-rich cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.