Acacia gum-assisted co-precipitating synthesis of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 particles of uniform size were prepared through carbonate co-precipitation method with acacia gum. The precursor of carbonate mixture was calcined at 800 °C, and a well-crystallized Ni-rich layered oxide was got. The phase structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The micro-sized particles delivered high initial discharge capacity of 164.3 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C (1 C = 200 mA g−1) between 2.5 and 4.3 V with capacity retention of 87.5 % after 100 cycles. High reversible discharge capacities of 172.4 and 131.4 mA h g−1 were obtained at current density of 0.1 and 5 C, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed to further study the LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 particles. Anyway, the excellent electrochemical performances of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 sample should be attributed to the use of acacia gum.