Lithium-ion transport through a tailored disordered phase on the LiNi _0.5Mn_1.5O₄ surface for high-power cathode materials

The phase control of spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ was achieved through surface treatment that led to an enhancement of its electrochemical properties. Li⁺ diffusion inside spinel LiNi _0.5Mn_1.5O₄ could be promoted by modifying the surface structure of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ through phosphidation into a disordered phase (Fd3m) that allows facile Li⁺ transport. Phosphidated LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ showed a significantly enhanced electrochemical performance, even at high rates exceeding 10 C, demonstrating that the improved kinetics (related to the amount of Mn³⁺) can render LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ competitive as a high-power cathode material for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.