Proceedings of MATSUS Spring 2025 Conference (MATSUSSpring25)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsusspring.2025.469
Publication date: 16th December 2024
Thanks to the operating high voltages and delivered capacities, Li-rich transition metal (TM) oxide cathodes are among the most promising materials for next-generation lithium-ion-batteries, where Co-free Li-rich cathodes join reduced costs with competitive performances. However, their cycle-life remains limited, and the individual role of TMs is still not fully understood. The investigation of the TM chemical species evolution along the first charge for the Li1.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08O2 and Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 systems have been accessed by means of operando multi-edge XAS. The charge compensation mechanism has been studied and the effect induced by removing Co has been revealed. Statistical data analysis methods reveal that the absence of Co results to accelerate and complete the Ni oxidation along the first charge and to inhibit the undesired spinel formation and oxygen release at the end of the first voltage plateau. The reasons of the oxygen release in the Co-containing electrode and its relation to structural modifications will be presented.