Direct Observation of Dynamic Lithium Diffusion Behavior in Nickel-Rich, LiNiMnCoO (NMC811) Cathodes Using Muon Spectroscopy.

Ni-rich layered oxide cathode materials such as LiNiMnCoO (NMC811) are widely tipped as the next-generation cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. The NMC class offers high capacities but suffers an irreversible first cycle capacity loss, a result of slow Li diffusion kinetics at a low state of charge. Understanding the origin of these kinetic hindrances to Li mobility inside the cathode is vital to negate the first cycle capacity loss in future materials design.