Thermally stable nickel rich cathodes

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• a cathode;
• an anode;
• and
• an electrolyte system between the cathode and the anode;
• wherein the cathode comprises:
• an active material comprising a plurality of active material particles, the plurality of active material particles comprising nickel;
• and
• a thermal inhibitor layer formed on and in direct contact with a surface of each active material particle of the plurality of active material particles, the thermal inhibitor layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, the plurality of nanoparticles comprising one or more of a thermally stable olivine type material, a thermally stable spinel type material, and a thermally stable manganese-nickel dioxide type material.

A method for manufacturing thermally stable nickel-rich cathodes, the method comprising:

• providing an active material comprising a plurality of active material particles, the plurality of active material particles comprising nickel;
• providing a nanoparticle slurry additive comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, the plurality of nanoparticles comprising one or more of a thermally stable olivine type material, a thermally stable spinel type material, and a thermally stable manganese-nickel dioxide type material;
• forming a slurry by mixing the active material and the nanoparticle slurry additive, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles form a thermal inhibitor layer on and in direct contact with a surface of the plurality of active material particles;
• forming a free-standing electrode film by calendering the slurry;
• and
• laminating the free-standing electrode film to a current collector to define a thermally stable nickel-rich cathode.