Design and processing for high performance Li ion battery electrodes with double-layer structure

A two-layer LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathode has been designed and fabricated containing a "power layer" and "energy layer", with corresponding porosity and particle size prescribed to each layer to achieve best utilization of electrode material (maximum integrated depth of discharge across the electrode thickness) at high applied current. The cathode showed a 17% improvement in capacity when tested in symmetric cells. When applying the design to a full cell, where both positive and negative electrodes contain power and energy layers, a 74% increase in discharge capacity at 2C was achieved compared to the cell with conventional electrodes. This demonstrates an avenue to increase energy and power density of lithium-ion batteries and enable fast charging capability.