Hierarchical microspheres and nanoscale particles: Effects of morphology on electrochemical performance of Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Microsphere and nanoscale Li-rich Li12Mno.s4Nio.i3C00.1302 materials were successfully manufactured via co precipitation and sol-gel method, respectively. The effects of sample morphologies on electrochemical performances were investigated. Although the nanoscale sample synthesized by sol-gel method (SG-LMNCO) has higher initial discharge capacities of 284.3 mAh g(-1), and coulombic efficiency of 80.1% when charged and discharged at 0.1C (25 mA g(-1)) within 2.0-4.8 V, it suffers froni poorer cycling stability than the spherical sample (CP-LMNCO) prepared through co-precipitation method. As for CP-LMNCO material, it delivers an initial discharge capacity of 260.7 mAh g(-1), and retention of 85.2% at the current density of 0.1C; 226.5 mAh g(-1), and 89.7% at 0.5C; 187.1 mAh g(-1), and 88% at 2C after 60 cycles, respectively. And the C-LMNCO sample also shows a superior rate performance. It illustrates the Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 material with spherical hierarchical morphology can uphold its structure during cycling and is more promising for practical application. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.