Advances and Prospects of High-Voltage Spinel Cathodes for Lithium-Based Batteries

Abstract

Insertion compounds have been dominating the cathodes in commercial lithium-ion batteries. In contrast to layered oxides and polyanion compounds, the development of spinel-structured cathodes is a little behind. Owing to a series of advantageous properties, such as high operating voltage (approximate to 4.7 V), high capacity (approximate to 135 mAh g(-1)), low environmental impact, and low fabrication cost, the high-voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 represents a high-power cathode for advancing high-energy-density Li+-ion batteries. However, the wide application and commercialization of this cathode are hampered by its poor cycling performance. Recent progress in both the fundamental understanding of the degradation mechanism and the exploration of strategies to enhance the cycling stability of high-voltage spinel cathodes have drawn continuous attention toward this promising insertion cathode. In this review article, the structure-property correlations and the failure mode of high-voltage spinel cathodes are first discussed. Then, the recent advances in mitigating the cycling stability issue of high-voltage spinel cathodes are summarized, including the various approaches of structural design, doping, surface coating, and electrolyte modification. Finally, future perspectives and research directions are put forward, aiming at providing insightful information for the development of practical high-voltage spinel cathodes.