Simply Constructing Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2/C Composites for Superior Electrochemical Performance and Thermal Stability in Li-Ion Battery

A Co-free Li-rich cathode material Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 has been successfully modified by conductive acetylene black (CAB) using a simple physical grinding and post annealing process. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) characterizations show that annealing process leads to the formation of a strong chemical interaction between CAB and Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2. The modified sample with 5wt% CAB exhibits excellent cycle stability (83.9% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C) and remarkable rate capacity (93.0 mAh g(-1) at 10 C). At the same time, the thermal stability of pristine is obviously enhanced by modification with CAB. Such improvement is ascribed to the existence of the strong interaction between Li-rich oxide and CAB. This work will offer hints for promoting the commercialization of Li-rich cathodes.