Hierarchical hollow structured lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide microsphere synthesized by template-sacrificial route as high performance cathode for lithium ion batteries

Materials with micro-nano hierarchical structure have shown excellent electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries because of the favorable electron/ionic transportation provided by the unique geometrical structure. In this work, hierarchical LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2 hollow microsphere is synthesized by a template-sacrificial route using porous CoMn2O4 template, which is prepared by pyrolysis of solvothermal synthesized Co1/3Mn2/3CO3 precursor. The influence of synthesis parameters in solvothermal reaction and high temperature calcining on the morphology of particles is systematically investigated. Benefiting from the desired micro-nano hierarchical porous hollow structure and well-ordered crystal structure, the LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2 hollow microsphere exhibits excellent electrochemical performance and favorable Li+ extraction/insertion kinetics. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.