UC Berkeley

Li2Ni1-xCuxO2 solid solutions were prepared by a solid-state method to study the correlation between composition and electrochemical performance. Cu incorporation improved the phase purity of Li2Ni1-xCuxO2 with orthorhombic Immm structure, resulting in enhanced capacity. However, the electrochemical profiles suggested Cu incorporation did not prevent irreversible phase transformation during the electrochemical process, instead, it likely influenced the phase transformation upon lithium removal. By combining ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) measurements, this study elucidates the relevant phase transformation (e.g., crystal structure, local environment, and charge compensation) and participation of electrons from lattice oxygen during the first cycle in these complex oxides.