Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance of Aqueous Processed Li-Ion Cathodes with Silicon Oxide Coatings

Graphical Abstract

A low-cost and scalable strategy for coating the battery cathode materials with SiO₂ is demonstrated. Improved cohesion and adhesion strength and lesser cracks were observed in SiO₂-coated cathode materials, indicating increased cathode structural integrity. Electrochemical performance was also improved compared with the uncoated cathode materials in aqueously processed cathodes.

Abstract

Lithium-ion battery cathode materials suffer from bulk and interfacial degradation issues, which negatively affect their electrochemical performance. Oxide coatings can mitigate some of these problems and improve electrochemical performance. However, current coating strategies have low throughput, are expensive, and have limited applicability. In this article, we describe a low-cost and scalable strategy for applying oxide coatings on cathode materials. We report synergistic effects of these oxide coatings on the performance of aqueously processed cathodes in cells. The SiO₂ coating strategy developed herein improved mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical performance of aqueously processed Ni-, Mn- and Co-based cathodes. This strategy can be used on a variety of cathodes to improve the performance of aqueously processed Li-ion cells.