Enhanced electrochemical performance of layered Li-rich cathode materials for lithium ion batteries via aluminum and boron dual-doping

Lithium-rich layer oxides can possess satisfactory specific capacity but suffer from severe voltage attenuation and poor cycle stability. In this work, Al-B dual-doping technique is introduced to modify Li-rich layered oxide cathode materials. Cross-section scanning electron microscopy, Energy Disperse Spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirm that Al and B successfully doped into the interior of the bulk Li1.2Ni0.2MnO2 particles, and the High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement results reveal that the c-axis distance of LMR-AB increases. The Al-B co-doped sample shows greatly enhanced electrochemical performance. Specifically, it exhibits of a discharge capacity of 120 mAh g−1 at 5 C and a capacity retention of 89.12% after 100 cycles at 1 C. The voltage decay is also greatly alleviated. The enhanced electrochemical performance of LMR-AB is due to the synergistic effects bought by the Al-B dual-doping, where increase of c-axis distance decreases Li+ intercalation/deintercalation barrier. B3+ doping into the tetrahedral site block the migration of TM ions and Al3+ act as pillars in the octahedral site, stabilizing the structure and suppressing the phase transition during cycling.