University of Waterloo

Purpose

Development of high voltage cathode materials based on layered oxides and spinels Project Description Summary: The project will develop new high voltage cathode materials above 4V that contain Ni as the main element to identify a new chemistry for a cathode material produced for industry relevant validation (gram → kilogram), and identify, synthesize and preliminary test LiNi1-xMxO2 cathode materials with single and multi “M” dopants: • Gram-scale synthesis, electrochemical techniques, advanced structural materials characterization and preliminary battery performance to understand the materials structure/property/performance relationships. • Choose materials using MAP and density functional theory modeling, preliminarily predict the most plausible material chemistry and structure for next steps, and evaluate the new materials feasibility for scalability and potential market penetration. • Validate results using advanced and operando electrochemical techniques and scale up materials synthesis gram → kilogram. • Investigate up to three battery chemistry generations with a feedback loop based on the above analysis, material characterization and battery performance and modify materials coating with protective layers and enhanced electrolyte formulations