Achieving structural stability and enhanced electrochemical performance through Nb-doping into Li- and Mn-rich layered cathode for lithium-ion batteries.

Although Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides are attractive cathode materials possessing high energy densities, they have not been commercialized owing to voltage decay, low rate capability, poor capacity retention, and high irreversible capacity in the first cycle. To circumvent these issues, we propose a LiNiCoMnNbO (Nb-LNCM) cathode material, wherein Nb doping strengthens the transition metal oxide (TM-O) bond and alleviates the anisotropic lattice distortion while stabilizing the layered structure. During long-term cycling, maintaining a wider LiO interslab thickness in Nb-LNCM creates a favorable Li diffusion path, which improves the rate capability.