Li+-conductive Li2SiO3 stabilized Li-rich layered oxide with an in situ formed spinel nano-coating layer: toward enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

A novel heterostructured cathode material, comprised of a core of Li-rich layered (R (3) over barm) oxides integrated with Li+-conductive Li2SiO3 and an in situ formed spinel (Fd (3) over barm) nano-coating layer, has been successfully synthesized. The ionic conductor Li2SiO3 in the bulk facilitates the Li+ intercalation/deintercalation process and stabilizes the layered structure. This is coupled with the fast 3D Li+ diffusion channels of an electrochemically active spinel coating layer, leading to superior rate capability (94 mA h g(-1) at 10C) and excellent cycling stability in the heterostructured cathode material. This synergistic strategy may provide some new directions for synthesizing high-performance Li-ion battery cathode materials.