Role of Zr-doping for stabilization of next-generation positive electrode materials in Lithium Ion Batteries

Layered Ni-rich lithiated metal oxides such as LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) are attractive candidates as next-generation Li-ion battery (LiB) positive electrode materials due to their high capacities, high working potential and reasonable price. Unfortunately, the cycle life of these materials is relatively short due to the structural instability at high delithiated states. However, the loss in performance over time can be retarded by either bulk or surface Zr-doping. The goal of this experiment is to perform operando XAS on different Zr-doped and undoped electrodes in fresh and aged assembled coin cells to understand the exact role and behaviour of the dopant in the host NMC structure during cycling.