Layered LiNi 0.80 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 as cathode material for hybrid Li + /Na + batteries

LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) is explored to be applied in a hybrid Li+/Na+ battery for the first time. The cell is constructed with NCA as the positive electrode, sodium metal as the negative electrode, and 1 M NaClO4 solution as the electrolyte. It is found that during electrochemical cycling both Na+ and Li+ ions are reversibly intercalated into/de-intercalated from NCA crystal lattice. The detailed electrochemical process is systematically investigated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, ex situ X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The NCA cathode can deliver initially a high capacity up to 174 mAh g−1 and 95% coulombic efficiency under 0.1 C (1 C = 120 mA g−1) current rate between 1.5–4.1 V. It also shows excellent rate capability that reaches 92 mAh g−1 at 10 C. Furthermore, this hybrid battery displays superior long-term cycle life with a capacity retention of 81% after 300 cycles in the voltage range from 2.0 to 4.0 V, offering a promising application in energy storage.