Rational Design of Quasi Zero-Strain NCM Cathode Materials for Minimizing Volume Change Effects in All-Solid-State Batteries

Measures to improve the cycling performance and stability of bulk-type all-solid-state batteries (SSBs) are currently being developed with the goal of substituting conventional Li-ion battery (LIB) technology. As known from liquid electrolyte based LIBs, layered oxide cathode materials undergo volume changes upon (de)lithiation, causing mechanical degradation due to particle fracture, among others. Unlike solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes are somewhat capable of accommodating morphological changes. In SSBs, the rigidity of the materials used typically leads to adverse contact loss at the interfaces of cathode material and solid electrolyte during cycling. Hence, designing zero- or low-strain electrode materials for application in next-generation SSBs is desirable. In the present work, we report on novel Co-rich NCMs, NCM361 (60% Co) and NCM271 (70% Co), showing minor volume changes up to 4.5 V vs Li⁺/Li, as determined by operando X-ray diffraction and pressure measurements of LIB pouch and pelletized SSB cells, respectively. Both cathode materials exhibit good cycling performance when incorporated into SSB cells using argyrodite Li₆PS₅Cl solid electrolyte, albeit their morphology and secondary particle size have not yet been optimized.