Unveiling the Future of Li-Ion Batteries: Real-Time Insights into the Synthesis of Advanced Layered Cathode Materials

Prompted by the increasing demand for high-energy Li-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles (EVs), the development of advanced layered cathode materials has attracted significant attention in recent decades. Advances in in situ and in operando characterization techniques have not only led to the successful commercialization of these materials but have also opened up new horizons in terms of the development of cathodes exhibiting enhanced energy and cycle stability. This Perspective highlights recent advances in in situ monitoring techniques during the synthesis of layered cathode materials. While previous reports have focused on the reaction mechanisms during charging/discharging, this Perspective aims to reveal the complex relationships between phase transitions and microstructural evolution during synthesis and their impacts on electrochemical performance. Furthermore, we address strategies that aid understanding of the solid-state synthesis mechanisms of layered cathode materials and offer an insightful guide for the synthesis of defect-free layered oxide cathode materials.