Interfacial reactions in boron-modified Ni-rich layered cathodes of lithium-ion battery
Journal
Journal of Energy Storage
Journal Volume
173
Start Page
123112
ISSN
2352152X
Date Issued
2026-09-30
Author(s)
Yuwono, Rio Akbar
Merinda, Laurien
Prakash, Surya
Wang, Fu-Ming
Zheng, Changlin
Hsieh, Han-Pin
Pao, Chih-Wen
Chen, Jeng-Lung
Abstract
B3+ is an attractive and resource-abundant dopant for Ni-rich layered oxides. It can incorporate into the lattice, alter primary-particle morphology, and generate in-situ borate surface coatings. Prior studies attributed an improvement on cycling stability of boron-modified Ni-rich layered oxides to its radially aligned primary-particle. However, boron also introduces bulk doping and forms surface borates coating that influence H2–H3 reversibility, lithium consumption, and interfacial reactivity. The relative contributions of B3+ in the bulk and on the surface of Ni-rich layered oxides to electrolyte-driven CEI evolution have not been systematically clarified. In this work, operando FTIR, XPS, and operando XAS are used to reveal the interfacial interactions of B3+-modified Ni-rich layered oxides. It is revealed that the surface borates coating intensifies carbonate deprotonation and promotes PF6− adsorption which favors the formation of an inorganic-rich CEI. In parallel, the borate surface coating avoids direct contact with electrolyte, while boron incorporation reduces NiO covalency. Simultaneously, these lower the organic based CEI formation. As a result, boron-modified cathode exhibits slower impedance growth, higher H2–H3 reversibility, and substantial enhancement on cycle stability over pristine sample.
Subjects
Boron modification
Electrode–electrolyte interphase
Layered Ni-rich oxides
Li-ion batteries
Operando FTIR
Operando XAS
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article