Insights into the Crossover Effects in Cells with High‐Nickel Layered Oxide Cathodes and Silicon/Graphite Composite Anodes

Abstract Silicon anodes are regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to graphite (Gr) anodes due to their ultrahigh capacity, abundance, and low cost. Coupling Si‐based anodes with high‐nickel layered oxide cathodes LiNi x Mn y Co 1− x − y O 2 (NMC, x ≥ 0.8) can enhance the driving range for electric vehicles. Transition‐metal (TM) ion dissolution and deposition has been a long‐known failure mode for Gr‐based lithium‐ion batteries. However, the mechanistic insight associated with TM ion deposition on Si‐based anodes has rarely been reported. Herein, the impact of in situ deposited TM ions on SiO x /Gr composite anodes and the individual influences of Ni, Mn, and Co on the structural and electrochemical stability along with the underlying degradation mechanisms are presented. TM ion dissolution causes a greater deleterious impact on Si than on Gr, with different TM ions exhibiting different influences on anode‐electrolyte interphase formation. Specifically, Ni deposit induces more aggressive salt decomposition; Co deposit has negligible effect on salt decomposition, but significantly accelerates solvent decomposition; and Mn deposit aggravates both salt and solvent decompositions, resulting in worse full cell performance. The extent of degradation decreases in the order Mn 2+ > Ni 2+ > Co 2+ . The systematic comparisons presented can guide further development of high energy systems.