Synthesis and electrochemical properties of layered LiNi1/3Mn1/3 Co1/3O2 cathode material

LiNi1/3Mn1/3 Co1/3O2 cathode material was synthesized by carbonate simultaneous precipitation method. The material was characterized by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction ) , SEM ( scanning electron microscope ) , differential chronopotentiometry and galvanostatic cycling. XRD results show that all the products synthesized above 800°C have typical α-NaFeO2 layered structure. SEM results show that the powders synthesized at 800°C have a spherical structure composed of small aggregates, whereas the products synthesized above 900°C have an irregular structure and are fractured. In the voltage range of 2.5-4.4 V, the LiNi1/3Mn1/3 Co1/3O2 cathode material synthesized at 950°C has an initial specific discharge capacity of 162 mAh·g-1 with effective cycling performance. With the increase oi the charge-discharge voltage, electrochemical stability was reduced and irreversible capacity loss occurred during the first cycle. The samples synthesized at lower temperatures (800, 850°C) exhibited higher specific capacities and slower capacity fading upon cycling than the samples synthesized at higher temperatures (900, 950°C), which was due to the structural difference.