Positron unveiling high mobility graphene stack interfaces in Li-ion cathodes

Carbon-based coatings in Li-ion battery cathodes improve electron conductivity and enable rapid charging. However, the mechanism is not well understood. Here, we address this question by using positrons as non-destructive probes to investigate nano-interfaces within cathodes. We calculate the positron annihilation lifetime in a graphene stack LiCoO₂ heterojunction using an ab initio method with a non-local density approximation to accurately describe the electron-positron correlation. This ideal heterostructure represents the standard carbon-based coating performed on cathode nanoparticles to improve the conduction properties of the cathode. We characterize the interface between LiCoO₂ and graphene as a p-type Schottky junction and find positron surface states. The intensity of the lifetime component for these positron surface states serves as a descriptor for positive ion ultra-fast mobility. Consequently, optimizing the carbon layer by enhancing this intensity and by analogizing Li-ion adatoms on graphene layers with positrons at surfaces can improve the design of fast-charging channels.