Electroless plating engineering triggered shielding effect enables stable nickel-rich cathode for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries

Surface coatings have long been recognized as a pivotal strategy for enhancing the performance of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM) cathode materials. However, conventional solid-phase techniques often fail to achieve uniform and effective coverage across the cathode surface, resulting in incomplete protection of the material during extended cycling or under extreme conditions. To address this limitation, we introduce the LiNiO₂ (LNO) coating. In this study, we employ an electroless plating method to in-situ coat LNO onto the surface of NCM. This approach yields a uniform and dense coating layer, which effectively acts as a protective barrier, shielding the cathode material from corrosive electrolyte interactions. Utilizing finite element simulations conducted with COMSOL, we demonstrate that the LNO coating significantly reduces detrimental Li⁺/Ni²⁺ mixing, facilitates enhanced Li⁺ diffusion, and alleviates mechanical stress within the cathode structure. Consequently, the LNO-coated NCM exhibits a remarkable 83.7 % capacity retention after 200 cycles and sustains a robust discharge capacity of 150 mAh g⁻¹ even at a 5C rate. This innovative interfacial engineering strategy represents a significant advancement in the design and optimization of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, offering valuable insights for future development.