Evaluation of Nb-Doping on performance of LiNiO2 in wide temperature range

•Nb-doping lithium nickelate are synthesized via element thermal diffusion method.•The mechanism of Nb in improving the performance of the materials is investigated.•The Nb-doping reduce the volume change of crystal lattice.•The Nb element can inhibit the occurrence of side reactions at the interface.•Nb-doped materials have good performance in a wide operating temperature range.