Construction of Uniform Cobalt-Based Nanoshells and Its Potential for Improving Li-Ion Battery Performance

Surface cobalt doping is an effective and economic way to improve the electrochemical performance of cathode materials. Herein, by tuning the precipitation kinetics of Co2+, we demonstrate an aqueous-based protocol to grow uniform basic cobaltous carbonate coating layer onto different substrates, and the thickness of the coating layer can be adjusted precisely in nanometer accuracy. Accordingly, by sintering the cobalt-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode materials, an epitaxial cobalt-doped surface layer will be formed, which will act as a protective layer without hindering charge transfer. Consequently, improved battery performance is obtained because of the suppression of interfacial degradation.