| Abstract: | Layered LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 has the isostructure of α-NaFeO2 and shows high rate capacity with stable cycleability. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of this material is milder than that of lithium nickel oxide and lithium cobalt oxide. In addition, it is expected to be stable at elevated temperatures. Therefore LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 may be the most promising cathode materials of lithium-ion secondary battery.In this research, LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was prepared by solid-state reaction, sol-gel method and mixed hydroxide method. The influences of synthesis method on the physical and electrochemical properties of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), charge/discharge cycling cyclic voltammetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). XPS studies show that the predominant oxidation states of Ni, Co and Mn in the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 compound are 2+, 3+ and 4+. From the voltage profile and cyclic voltammetry, the redox processes occurring at ～3.8V and ～4.5V are assigned to the Ni2+/Ni3+ and Co3+/Co4+ couples, respectively. Different preparation methods result in the difference in morphology (shape, particle size and specific surface area) and electrochemical behaviors. A sample prepared by solid-state reaction has the worst electrochemical performance among these three methods. Sample synthesized by mixed hydroxide method displays the better rate capacity than that prepared by sol-gel method, while the capacity retention of sample prepared by sol-gel method is superior to that synthesized by mixed hydroxide method. |
