Correlating Cation Mixing with Li Kinetics: Electrochemical and Li Diffusion Measurements on Li-Deficient LiNiO₂ and Li-Excess LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂

Cation mixing in Li-based layered positive electrode materials has been reported to negatively affect the electrochemical performance and transport properties of intercalated Li. However, no previous reports have systematically correlated the impact of cation mixing (Ni atoms in the Li layer) on the electrochemical properties and Li transport. Herein, a series of Li-deficient LNO (Li_1−xNi_1+xO₂) materials with different amounts of Ni in the Li layers ranging from ca. 1.5%–6.0% was intentionally prepared by varying the Li/Ni ratio during synthesis. An order of magnitude decrease in the Li chemical diffusion coefficient was found between samples with 1.5% and 6% Ni in the Li layer. A similar dependence of the diffusion constant on the amount of Ni in the Li layer was also observed in the Li-excess materials Li 1 + x Ni 0.5 Mn 0.5 1 − x O 2 for x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, suggesting that, in general, larger amounts of Ni in the Li layer will lead to worse kinetics. This work quantitatively demonstrates that the amount of Ni in the Li layer needs to be carefully considered for the development of high-energy Ni-containing layered positive electrode materials as it directly affects overall electrochemical performance, phase transitions, and Li diffusion, leading to worse kinetics and seriously hindering rate capability.