Preparation of LiNiO₂ and LiM _y  Ni_{1- y}  O₂ (M=Co,Al) films by electrostatic spray deposition

Abstract

Syntheses of LiNiO₂, LiCo_0.5Ni_0.5O₂, and LiAl_0.25Ni_0.75O₂ as thin films were carried out by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) onto a gold substrate. Single-phase LiNiO₂ film was obtained using a precursor solution of Li(OCOCH₃)+Ni(OCOCH₃)₂/ethanol, and by heating the deposit at 700 °C under an oxygen stream. In the case of cobalt or aluminum doping, Co(NO₃)₂/ethanol or Al(NO₃)₃/ethanol were added to the precursor solution in a given ratio. X-ray diffractometry revealed that all films had a crystal structure of space group R3¯m; a=2.879, c=14.197 Å for LiNiO₂; a=2.844, c=14.152 Å for LiCo_0.5Ni_0.5O₂; a=2.855, c=14.148 Å for LiAl_0.25Ni_0.75O₂ (in hexagonal setting). Although these products were highly porous, it was observed that the average film thickness of LiNiO₂ increased almost proportionally with the deposition time. Electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge measurement at a constant current) were carried out in organic solutions of LiClO₄ (1 mol dm⁻³ LiClO₄/propylene carbonate+ethylene carbonate). The results indicated that thin films fabricated by ESD were electrochemically active for lithium ion extraction/insertion. The effect of cobalt or aluminum doping on the voltammograms is also described.