A High-Capacity O2-Type Li-Rich Cathode Material with a Single-Layer Li₂ MnO₃ Superstructure

A high capacity cathode is the key to the realization of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. The anionic oxygen redox induced by activation of the Li₂ MnO₃ domain has previously afforded an O3-type layered Li-rich material used as the cathode for lithium-ion batteries with a notably high capacity of 250-300 mAh g^-1 . However, its practical application in lithium-ion batteries has been limited due to electrodes made from this material suffering severe voltage fading and capacity decay during cycling. Here, it is shown that an O2-type Li-rich material with a single-layer Li₂ MnO₃ superstructure can deliver an extraordinary reversible capacity of 400 mAh g^-1 (energy density: ≈1360 Wh kg^-1 ). The activation of a single-layer Li₂ MnO₃ enables stable anionic oxygen redox reactions and leads to a highly reversible charge-discharge cycle. Understanding the high performance will further the development of high-capacity cathode materials that utilize anionic oxygen redox processes.