Topic 01-27: Modyfied high-nickel NCA cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

The aim of the proposed project is the synthesis and characterisation studies of LiNixCozAlyO2 (NCA) cathode materials with high nickel content regarded as one of the next generation of the cathode materials.

The proposed work involves the modification of the structure and properties of NCA materials by introducing selected dopants. The research will be focused on the determination of the influence of dopants on physicochemical, structural and mostly electrochemical properties of the obtained modified NCA cathode materials and on selection of a specific composition providing the cathode with the most favorable performance parameters. The obtained materials will be subjected to detailed physicochemical and structural characterization studies. Electrochemical tests will provide information about the electrode material capacity and cyclic stability. Lithium ion diffusion coefficients will also be determined. Testing of obtained materials will be carried out in combination with commercial electrolytes as well as with novel electrolytes developed at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Warsaw University of Technology. It is also planned to prepare blended cathode materials, i.e. mixed systems consisting of newly developed doped NCA materials and well-known commercial cathode materials (e.g. LCO, NMC111) and their detailed characterisation studies. The expected result of the proposed project is to recognize the potential of the resulting doped NCA powders and blended materials as an active cathode material for Li-ion batteries.

In the secondment lab the student will have an opportunityto work on coating or  use their microscope platform.