Surface modification of Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 nanoparticles with polydopamine-assisted MgF2 coating

•A surface of the nano-sized Li[Ni0.2Li0.2Mn0.6]O2 was modified by MgF2 coating.•A polydopamine pre-coating layer served as a binding agent for the homogeneous coating.•Polydopamine-assisted MgF2 coating improved the electrochemical property of the cathode.

Nano-sized Li[Ni0.2Li0.2Mn0.6]O2 powder is vulnerable to reaction with the electrolyte because it has a wide electrolyte/cathode contact area. In order to avoid this, we modified the surface of the nano-sized Li[Ni0.2Li0.2Mn0.6]O2 powder by coating it with MgF2. A polydopamine pre-coating layer served as a binding agent for the homogeneous MgF2 coating on the surface of the Li[Ni0.2Li0.2Mn0.6]O2 nanoparticles. Polydopamine-assisted coating with MgF2 improved the discharge capacity, cyclic performance and thermal stability of the Li[Ni0.2Li0.2Mn0.6]O2 cathode, possibly by suppressing side reactions between the electrolyte and the cathode.

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