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Performance and mechanism research of hierarchically structured Li-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium–ion batteries

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Abstract

The hierarchically structured cathode material Li1.165Mn0.501Ni0.167Co0.167O2 (LMNCO) is successfully synthesized via a facile ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method with a two-step heat treatment by adopting graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as functional framework and modified material. The structure and electrochemical performance degeneration mechanism were systematically investigated in this work. The obtained LMNCO microspheres possess a hierarchical nano-micropore structure assembled with nanosized building blocks, which originates from the oxidative decomposition of the transition metal carbonate precursor and carbonaceous materials accompanied with the release of CO2 (but still remain carbon residue). What’s more, the positive electrode exhibits enhanced specific capacities (276.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C), superior initial coulombic efficiency (80.3 %), remarkable rate capability (60.5 mAh g−1 at 10 C) and high Li+ diffusion coefficient (~10−9 cm2 s−1). The excellent performances can be attributed to the pore structure, small particle sizes, large specific surface area and enhanced electrical conductivity. (1 C = 250 mA g−1).

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Plan of Guangdong Province (2016A050503040, 2016B010114002), the Scientific and Technological Plan of Guangzhou City (201607010322), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (4-ZZDC) and Strategic Plan (1-ZVCG).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Efficient Green Energy and Environment Protection Materials, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Shaomeng Ma, Xianhua Hou, Yajie Li, Qiang Ru & Shejun Hu

  2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Shaomeng Ma, Xianhua Hou, Yajie Li, Qiang Ru & Shejun Hu

  3. Department of Electrical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong

    Kwok-ho Lam

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  1. Shaomeng Ma
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  2. Xianhua Hou
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  3. Yajie Li
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Correspondence to Xianhua Hou or Kwok-ho Lam.

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Ma, S., Hou, X., Li, Y. et al. Performance and mechanism research of hierarchically structured Li-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium–ion batteries. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 28, 2705–2715 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-016-5849-7

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