2026/02/20 by Yutao Xu, Xiuxia Zuo, Jun Liu +5 · 1 voice
Engineering · #Advancements in Battery Materials #Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies #Advanced Battery Technologies Research
paper · doi:10.1021/acsapm.5c03913
openalex publication_date 2026/02/20 · openalex created_date 2026/02/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/13
Nickel-rich Li[Ni x Co y Mn 1– x – y ]O 2 (NCM) is critical for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries but suffers from severe capacity fading and short cycle life, especially in high-nickel compositions such as NCM811, due to structural and interfacial instability. To address this, we develop an in situ-formed, thermoset cross-linked polyurethane acrylate (PUA) binder that acts synergistically as a robust binder and an artificial cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI). This multifunctional PUA layer effectively shields active material from electrolyte corrosion, mitigates mechanical stress from volume change, and suppresses microcrack formation. As a result, the PUA-modified NCM811 cathode exhibits significantly improved cycling stability with 88.9% capacity retention after 200 cycles and superior rate capability (91 mAh g –1 at 5 C). Furthermore, mechanistic investigations confirm the suppression of irreversible phase transitions and metal dissolution. This work demonstrates a practical electrode engineering strategy for stabilizing nickel-rich cathodes through interfacial control.