Scientists curb battery degradation by tuning nickel-rich cathodes

An international research team from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology has developed a method to extend lithium-ion battery lifespan by preventing a key structural failure in nickel-rich cathodes called c-collapse. This failure occurs due to sudden lattice contraction during high-voltage cycling, causing particle cracking and reduced battery life. Instead of maintaining a perfectly ordered crystal structure, the scientists introduced controlled atomic disorder through an electrochemical activation process, transforming the cathode into a disordered layered (DL) structure. This new imperfect crystal arrangement reduces anisotropic strain, thereby enhancing both capacity and cycle life. The researchers demonstrated their approach using a high-energy nickel-rich material, LiNi₀.₉Mn₀.₁O₂, closely related to commercial cathodes. Batteries with the modified cathodes retained high energy capacity and showed improved structural stability during repeated charge-discharge cycles by preventing sharp lattice contraction. The electrochemical tuning method reduces internal strain, limits particle cracking, and suppresses voltage loss