Optimization of synthesis condition of water-resistant and thin titanium oxide layer-coated Ni-rich layered cathode materials and their cathode performance

In this study, in order to develop water-resistant LiNiaCobAl1−a−bO2 (a > 0.85, NCA) cathode materials which exhibit high-rate performance, the surface coating of NCA with titanium oxide (TiOx) was examined. The synthesis conditions for the TiOx-coated NCA cathode materials were investigated, by taking into account some essential factors in the surface coating of NCA by TiOx, with a view to improving the rate performance. We successfully prepared the TiOx-coated NCA cathode material, the rate performance of which is superior to that of the conventionally prepared NCA cathode materials, typically using a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF) binder and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent. Their surface analysis suggested that the specific surface structure of TiOx layer coated on the NCA particle leads to both a water-resistant property and a high permeability of Li+ ions through it in the charging/discharging process.