Micro-Doping of Lithium Ion Battery Cathode Materials - A Performance and Sustainability Case Study of Lithium Nickel Oxide

High-nickel lithium-ion battery cathode materials are increasingly favored for their superior energy density but face challenges related to toxicity, cost, and critical material supply. This study assesses the current state of play in commercial cathodes, and presents a screening of the literature micro-dopants for LiNiO₂ (LNO), aiming to identify excellent electrochemical performance without compromising affordability or safety. Literature examples of tungsten, niobium, and zirconium doped cathode material all showed good performance, but are considered risky for further consideration due to the high costs and increased supply risk with these materials. A lithium excess sulfate doped material exhibited the best balance of sustainability and performance, delivering improved capacity retention and low raw material cost, with the only compromise of a very slightly elevated supply risk. The study highlights the trade-offs between performance metrics and sustainability considerations, offering a framework for more commercially viable cathode design.