Stabilization of Li-Rich Disordered Rocksalt Oxyfluoride Cathodes by Particle Surface Modification

[Image: see text] Promising theoretical capacities and high voltages are offered by Li-rich disordered rocksalt oxyfluoride materials as cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. However, as has been discovered for many other Li-rich materials, the oxyfluorides suffer from extensive surface degradation, leading to severe capacity fading. In the case of Li(2)VO(2)F, we have previously determined this to be a result of detrimental reactions between an unstable surface layer and the organic electrolyte. Herein, we present the protection of Li(2)VO(2)F particles with AlF(3) surface modification, resulting in a much-enhanced capacity retention over 50 cycles. While the specific capacity for the untreated material drops below 100 mA h g(–1) after only 50 cycles, the treated materials retain almost 200 mA h g(–1). Photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling confirms the stabilization of the active material surface by the surface modification and reveals its suppression of electrolyte decomposition.