%0 Journal Article
%A Jianping Huang
%A Peichen Zhong
%A Yang Ha
%A Deok-Hwang Kwon
%A Matthew J Crafton
%A Yaosen Tian
%A Mahalingam Balasubramanian
%A Bryan D McCloskey
%A Wanli Yang
%A Gerbrand Ceder
%B Nature Energy
%D 2021
%G eng
%N 7
%P 706 - 714
%R 10.1038/s41560-021-00817-6
%T Non-topotactic reactions enable high rate capability in Li-rich cathode materials
%U https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-021-00817-6
%V 6
%8 07/2021
%! Nat Energy
%X <p><span>High-rate cathode materials for Li-ion batteries require fast Li transport kinetics, which typically rely on topotactic Li intercalation/de-intercalation because it minimally disrupts Li transport pathways. In contrast to this conventional view, here we demonstrate that the rate capability in a Li-rich cation-disordered rocksalt cathode can be significantly improved when the topotactic reaction is replaced by a non-topotactic reaction. The fast non-topotactic lithiation reaction is enabled by facile and reversible transition metal octahedral-to-tetrahedral migration, which improves rather than impedes Li transport. Using this concept, we show that high-rate performance can be achieved in Mn- and Ni-based cation-disordered rocksalt materials when some of the transition metal content can reversibly switch between octahedral and tetrahedral sites. This study provides a new perspective on the design of high-performance cathode materials by demonstrating how the interplay between Li and transition metal migration in materials can be conducive to fast non-topotactic Li intercalation/de-intercalations.</span></p>