Boosting the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode materials with Zn3(PO4)2 surface coating

Ni-rich layered oxides have been demonstrated to be promising cathode materials for high-energy–density batteries. However, most of them suffer from sluggish kinetics and structural instability, severely impeding their practical applications. Herein, the surface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode is modified with ionic, conducting zinc phosphate (Zn3(PO4)2) nanolayers. The nanolayers are autogenously formed from the reaction of NH4H2PO4 with ZnO assisted with citric acid. The as-prepared 3 wt% Zn3(PO4)2 coated sample exhibits a first discharge capacity of 203.4 mAh g-1and excellent capacity retention for 100 cycles. The surface Zn3(PO4)2 nanolayers positively impact the cell performance by scavenging HF and H2O in the electrolyte, leading to less formation of byproducts on the surface of the cathodes, which lowers the cell resistance and polarization voltage. Our study provides a simple and efficient strategy to design and optimize promising layer-structural cathodes for LIBs.