Guidelines for air-stable lithium/sodium layered oxide cathodes

The rational design of intercalation materials plays an indispensable role in continuously improving the performance of rechargeable batteries. The capability of some very promising layered oxide materials for positive electrodes (cathodes), such as sodium layered oxides and Ni-rich lithium layered oxides, are limited by several key challenges. Air stability is one of the issues that should be tackled appropriately. In this Perspective, we present the reaction mechanisms of layered oxides when exposed to moist atmospheres, the critical factors that affect the air stability of layered oxides, and the practical strategies toward air-stable electrodes. Based on the above understandings, we highlighted several pivotal research directions for further investigations of air stability of layered oxides. We expect that continued exploration in understanding the air stability of layered oxides will help to advance the design high-energy cathodes for Li- and Na-ion battery technologies.