Nucleation-promoting and growth-limiting synthesis of disordered rock-salt Li-ion cathode materials

Hoda Ahmed, Moohyun Woo, Nicolas Dumaresq, Pablo Trevino Lara, Richie Fong, Sang-Jun Lee, Gregory Lazaris, Nauman Mubarak, Nicolas Brodusch, Dong-Hwa Seo, Raynald Gauvin, George P. Demopoulos and Jinhyuk Lee ()
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Hoda Ahmed: McGill University
Moohyun Woo: McGill University
Nicolas Dumaresq: McGill University
Pablo Trevino Lara: McGill University
Richie Fong: McGill University
Sang-Jun Lee: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Gregory Lazaris: McGill University
Nauman Mubarak: McGill University
Nicolas Brodusch: McGill University
Dong-Hwa Seo: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Raynald Gauvin: McGill University
George P. Demopoulos: McGill University
Jinhyuk Lee: McGill University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Disordered rock-salt oxides and oxyfluorides are promising positive electrode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries free of nickel and cobalt. However, conventional synthesis methods rely on post-synthesis pulverization to achieve cycling-appropriate particle sizes, offering limited control over particle microstructure and crystallinity. This accelerates degradation and complicates secondary particle processing. Here we present a synthesis strategy that enhances nucleation while suppressing particle growth and agglomeration across various disordered rock-salt compositions, including lithium–manganese–titanium oxide, lithium–manganese–niobium oxide, and lithium–nickel–titanium oxide systems. Applied to Li1.2Mn0.4Ti0.4O2, this method yields highly crystalline, well-dispersed sub-200 nm particles that form homogeneous electrode films with stable cycling behavior. Tested in cells with lithium metal as the counter electrode, these electrodes deliver ~200 mAh/g with 85% capacity retention relative to the first cycle after 100 cycles (20 mA/g, 1.5–4.8 V), and an average discharge voltage loss of 4.8 mV per cycle, compared to 38.6% retention and 7.5 mV loss per cycle for electrodes derived from pulverized solid-state particles. This approach suggests a route to enhance the performance and durability of disordered rock-salt electrodes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60946-4

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