Presentation Title: The important role of Nb in upgrading NCM ternary oxide cathode materials

Abstract:

The cathode materials used in the next generation of premium-type power batteries are nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) ternary compounds. However, as the nickel content increases, their safety, cycling stability, and structural integrity tend to diminish significantly. Among the various modified materials for NCM, niobium oxide—one of the high-valence oxides—stands out for its efficiency and relatively low cost. This report begins with a morphological analysis of ultra-high nickel ternary cathode material (NCM90, with Ni content ≥0.90), utilizing structural characterization and advanced artificial intelligence deep learning techniques. Key parameters for optimizing such materials are proposed based on these analyses. After optimization through niobium oxide doping, the ultra-high nickel NCM90 cathode material shows denser primary particles, reduced porosity, enhanced resistance to electrolyte corrosion, and moderate lithium-nickel mixing. As a result, the optimized NCM90 cathode material demonstrates improved thermal stability, increased compressive strength in both the material and electrode sheet, as well as enhanced specific capacity and cycling stability. We prepared ultra-high nickel NCM90 cathode material with a volumetric energy density ≥3400 Wh/L. Combined with a high-energy-density Si@Sn anode, a Li-ion cell with volumetric energy density of 1000 Wh/L is obtained.

Bio:

Dr. Xuejie Huang, a professor at the Institute Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences(IOP/CAS) and deputy director of Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory(Guangdong). Since 1996, he chairs the group of Solid State Ionics at IOP/CAS and works on secondary lithium batteries and related materials. He has published 300+ peer-reviewed journal papers, and 80+ patents granted. He has developed technologies for materials, batteries and machines for Li-ion battery industry in China. He is concurrently the vice chairman of China Battery Industrial Association, and chief editor of “Science and technology for energy storage”.