Selective doping of Li-rich layered oxide cathode materials for high-stability rechargeable Li-ion batteries

We report the discovery of Li-rich $Li_{1+x}[(Ni_{0.225}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.625})_{1-y}V_y]O_2$ as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in which a small amount of tetravalent vanadium ($V^{4+}$) is selectively and completely incorporated into the manganese sites in the lattice structure. The unwanted oxidation of vanadium to form a $V_2O_5-like$ secondary phase during high-temperature crystallization is prevented by uniformly dispersing the vanadium ions in coprecipitated $[(Ni_{0.225}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.625})_{1-y}V_y](OH)_2$ particles. Upon doping with $V^{4+}$ ions, the initial discharge capacity (>$275mA\;h\;g^{-1}$), capacity retention, and voltage decay characteristics of the Li-rich layered oxides are improved significantly in comparison with those of the conventional undoped counterpart.