Facile formulation and fabrication of the cathode using a self-lithiated carbon for all-solid-state batteries.

We propose a innovative concept to boost the electrochemical performance of cathode composite electrodes using surface-modified carbons with hydrophilic moieties to increase their dispersion in a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) cathode and in-situ generate Li-rich carbon surfaces. Using a rapid aqueous process, the hydrophilic carbon is effectively dispersed in NMC particles followed by the conversion of its acid surface groups (e.g. -COOH), which interact with the NMC particles due to their basicity, into grafted Li salt (-COOLi). The solid-state batteries prepared using the cathode composites with surface-modified carbon exhibit better electrochemical performance. Such modified carbons led to a better electronic conduction path as well as facilitating Li ions transfer at the carbon/NMC interface due to the presence of lithiated carboxylate groups on their surface.