Facile formulation and fabrication of the cathode using a self-lithiated carbon for all-solid-state batteries

Abstract

We propose a innovative concept to boost the electrochemical performance of cathode composite electrodes using surface-modified carbons with hydrophilic moieties to increase their dispersion in a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) cathode and in-situ generate Li-rich carbon surfaces. Using a rapid aqueous process, the hydrophilic carbon is effectively dispersed in NMC particles followed by the conversion of its acid surface groups (e.g. –COOH), which interact with the NMC particles due to their basicity, into grafted Li salt (–COO⁻Li⁺). The solid-state batteries prepared using the cathode composites with surface-modified carbon exhibit better electrochemical performance. Such modified carbons led to a better electronic conduction path as well as facilitating Li⁺ ions transfer at the carbon/NMC interface due to the presence of lithiated carboxylate groups on their surface.