Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Nickel-Rich Cathode Materials by Surface Modification with Al2O3–ZrO2 for Lithium Ion Batteries

Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 was coated on the surface of nickel-rich cathode materials by the sol–gel method to improve its electrochemical performance. The nanometer-thick Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 coating layer refrains the side reaction between the electrolyte and the electrode, thus preventing the collapse of LiNi 0 . 8 Co 0 . 1 Mn 0 . 1 O 2 layered structure and protecting the stability of the material. The electrochemical test shows that LiNi 0 . 8 Co 0 . 1 Mn 0 . 1 O 2 coated with Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 has good cycle and rate performance. Under the cut-off voltage of 2.8–4.5 V, LiNi 0 . 8 Co 0 . 1 Mn 0 . 1 O 2 coated with Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 delivered an initial capacity which was 166.7 mAh g − 1 at 1C (200 mAh g − 1 ) rate, and the capacity retention rate was 77.7% after 200 cycles. The pristine LiNi 0 . 8 Co 0 . 1 Mn 0 . 1 O 2 delivered an initial capacity which was 166.4 mAh g − 1 at 1C rate, and the capacity retention rate was 51.7% after 200 cycles. The EIS and CV provided the enhanced electrochemical performance of LiNi 0 . 8 Co 0 . 1 Mn 0 . 1 O 2 coated with Al 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 which was due to accelerating Li + diffusion of nickel-rich materials and electrolytes.