New glass cathode materials for Li-ion battery: Ni-Co doping in Li-B-O based glass

Lithium-borate-based glass co-doped with nickel and cobalt ions was successfully fabricated by a two-step melt quenching method. The relationship between Ni and Co contents in the glasses was investigated, with a focus on their electrochemical properties and battery performance. Cyclic voltammetry was used to pre-investigate the electrochemical properties of the glass electrodes. It was found that the specific capacitance of all conditions was above 100 F/g. This preliminary study showed that the glass is feasible to use as a Li-ion battery cathode. The Co-rich content sample (NC11) exhibited the highest specific capacity of 380 mAh/g in the first cycle test. However, the specific capacity was dramatically decreased in subsequent cycles due to Li-ion trapping in the glass structure. Additionally, the higher amount of Ni ions in the co-doping Ni/Co-LBO glass enhanced the retention properties. This suggests that Ni-rich content could improve the release of free Li-ions from the host glass structure.