Analysis of transition metal (Mn, Co, Ni) dissolution in high energy density cathode active materials for Li-ion batteries

Cell aging in lithium-ion batteries is a vital problem to overcome for the next generation energy storage devices. Transition metal dissolution from cathode active materials (CAMs) and their subsequent deposition on the anode causes significant capacity fading and cell aging. Even though transition metal dissolution has been identified as a critical degradation process, the underlying mechanisms and the governing factors are not yet clearly understood. Within this proposal, we aim to elucidate the influence of electrolyte impurities and of the upper cut-off voltage range on the transition metal dissolution from conventional and nextgeneration CAMs. The dissolved transition metals are quantified by spatially resolved operando XAS on the Mn, Co, and Ni K-edge in the electrolyte as well as within the anode