A lithium salt additive Li₂ZrF₆ for enhancing the electrochemical performance of high-voltage LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode

In this work, Li₂ZrF₆, a lithium salt additive, is reported to improve the interface stability of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO)/electrolyte interface under high voltage (4.9 V vs Li/Li⁺). Li₂ZrF₆ is an effective additive to serve as an in situ surface coating material for high-voltage LNMO half cells. A protective SEI layer is formed on the electrode surface due to the involvement of Li₂ZrF₆ during the formation of SEI layer. Charge/discharge tests show that 0.15 mol L⁻¹ Li₂ZrF₆ is the optimal concentration for the LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ electrode and it can improve the cycling performance and rate property of LNMO/Li half cells. The results obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrate that Li₂ZrF₆ can facilitate the formation of a thin, uniform, and stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer. This layer inhibits the oxidation decomposition of the electrolyte and suppresses the dissolution of the cathode materials, resulting in improved electrochemical performances.