An efficient multidimensional synergistic regulation strategy to boost nickel-rich ternary cathodes for Li-ion batteries

Nickel-rich ternary cathode materials have garnered extensive interest due to their high specific discharge capacity and energy density. However, the undesired challenges, such as severe lithium-nickel mixing, micro-cracks evolution, and complex fabrication processes, have significantly impeded the practical deployment of ternary materials. Hence, addressing these challenges, an effective multidimensional synergistic regulation of nickel-rich ternary materials is achieved through a simple one-step high-temperature calcination process in this work. This method has the technical advantages of short preparation process, low cost and small environmental pollution. Specifically, the carefully selected Zr⁴⁺ is employed as a dopant to achieve cationic doping and simultaneously form an evenly distributed Li₂ZrO₃ coating layer on the surface of the single crystal particle. Such a reliable solution effectively inhibits lithium-nickel mixing, significantly enhances structural stability, and enlarges the layer spacing, providing a favorable pathway to Li⁺ diffusion and storage. As expected, the improved initial discharge capacity demonstrates a 10 % increase, reaching 163.4 mAh/g. After 200 cycles at 1 C, the capacity retention rate reveals a substantial enhancement, attaining 87.8 %, compared to the 63.05 % observed in the unmodified sample. Such a promising solution provides an opportunity for the practical application of ternary cathode materials.