Influence of Li source on tap density and high rate cycling performance of spherical Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 for advanced lithium-ion batteries

• DOI: 10.1007/s10008-011-1513-6
• Publication Date: 2011-08-17T12:48:13Z
• Authors: Shunyi Yang; Xianyou Wang; Xiukang Yang; Li Liu; Ziling Liu; Yansong Bai; Yingping Wang
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; 0104 chemical sciences

Spherical Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 cathode materials with different microstructure have been prepared by a continuous carbonate co-precipitation method using LiOH⋅H2O, Li2CO3, CH3COOLi⋅2H2O and LiNO3 as lithium source. The effects of Li source on the physical and electrochemical properties of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the morphology, tap density and high rate cycling performance of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 spherical particles are strongly affected by Li source. Among the four Li sources used in this study, LiOH⋅H2O is beneficial to enhance the tap density of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2, and the tap density of as-prepared sample reaches 2.32 g cm−3. Meanwhile, Li2CO3 is preferable when preparing the Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 with high rate cycling performance, upon extended cycling at 1 and 5C rates, 97.5% and 92% of the initial discharge capacity can be maintained after 100 cycles.