Speaker
Description
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used for energy storage, with an estimated total energy capacity of 6.5 TWh by 2030. While these cells offer high energy density and satisfactory cycle durability, their common cathode materials, such as NCA and NMC, rely on cobalt, a costly and scarce element. To address this issue, alternative cobalt-free materials like LiNiO₂ (LNO) have gained interest. However, their commercial viability has been hindered by their poor cycle durability due to structural instability. Optimizing LNO synthesis is, therefore, critical to enhancing its stability and performance as a cathode material.
This study aimed to optimize the synthesis method of lithiated nickel oxide (LNO) by selecting lithium and nickel precursors and calcination conditions. The structural properties were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, while electrochemical performance, including specific capacity and cycle life, was assessed via charge-discharge tests at different C-rates. A Swagelok-type cell was used, with LNO films on an aluminium current collector as the working electrode and metallic lithium as the counter/reference electrode.
The integration of X-ray diffraction data and electrochemical results identified an optimal synthesis method for LiNiO₂ with improved structural stability and electrochemical properties, making it a promising cathode material for next-generation Li-ion batteries.
