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The overcapacity mechanism and high voltage process of the Li-excess electrode material LiLi1/9Ni1/3Mn5/9O2 are studied by solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, combined with galvanostatic and potentiostatic intermittent titration electrochemical measurements. The cycling performance is improved noticeably when the material is cycled between potential windows of 5.3−2.5 V compared to 4.6−2.5 V. Diffraction data show that structural changes occur at high voltages, the solid-state NMR data of the same samples indicating that the high voltage processes above 4.4 V are associated with Li removal from the structure, in addition to electrolyte decomposition. The NMR spectra of the discharged samples show that cation rearrangements in the transition metal layers have occurred. The XAS spectra confirm that the Mn oxidation state remains unchanged at 4+, whereas Ni2+ is oxidized to Ni4+ on charging to 4.4 V, returning to Ni2+ on discharge, independent of the final charge voltage. A significant change of the shape of the Ni edge is observed in the 4.6−5.3 V potential range on charge, which is ascribed to a change in the Ni local environment. No O2 evolution was detected based on ex situ analysis of the gases evolved in the batteries, the TEM data showing that thick passivating films form on the electrodes. The results suggest that at least some of the oxygen loss from these lithium-excess materials occurs via a mechanism involving electrolyte decomposition.
Jiang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.