Comparison of corn starch-assisted sol-gel and combustion methods to prepare LiMnxCoyNizO2 compounds

In a novel attempt to exploit corn starch as gelling agent (in sol-gel method) and combustible fuel (in solution-assisted combustion method), high-capacity LiMn0.4Ni0.4Co0.2O2 and LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials have been prepared and a comparison of electrochemical performance of the same has been made. Among the two compounds chosen for the study, LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 exhibits better physical and electrochemical properties. Particularly, LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 cathode synthesized using corn starch-assisted combustion method exhibits an appreciable capacity of 176 mAh g(-1), excellent capacity retention of 93 % up to 100 cycles and susceptible to rate capability test up to 1 C rate, thus qualifying the same for high-capacity and high-rate lithium battery applications. The study demonstrates the possibility of exploiting corn starch as gelling agent and as a combustible fuel in synthesizing lithium intercalating oxide compounds with improved electrochemical behaviour.