Deflagration Synthesis of Nanocrystalline LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Cathode Material

The homogenous precursor has been prepared using a mixed aqueous solution of Ni(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, Co(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, Mn(NO3)(2) and LiNO3 as metal sources and citric acid as chelating agent and fuel. The nanocrystalline LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 powder was rapidly synthesized by deflagrating the dried precursor in oxygen. The as-synthesized LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 powder has a rhombohedral crystal system with an impurity phase of Li2MnO3. The mean crystallite size of as-synthesized powder was 40.89 nm. The annealed LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 powder was mainly consisted of particle agglomerates with the primary particles size of 100-300 nm. The high initial capacities of 208.0 mAh.g(-1) (2.8-4.6 V) and 173.6 mAh.g(-1) (2.8-4.3 V) were discharged at the rate of 0.05 C, respectively. Its capacity retentions were 89.3% and 93.4% within the voltage range of 2.8-4.6 V and 2.8-4.3 V at 0.1 C after 20 cycles, respectively. The results suggest that the deflagration synthesis holds potential to rapidly prepare nanocrystalline LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material.