Synthesis of nanostructured LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ by ammonia-evaporation-induced synthesis and its electrochemical properties as a cathode material for a high-power Li-Ion Battery

We report on an ammonia-evaporation-induced synthetic method for nanostructured LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode material. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high- resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy- dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller nitrogen sorption, and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests were applied to analyze the crystal structure, micromorphology, and electrochemical properties of nanostructured LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂. The results show that it has a well-ordered layered α-NaFeO₂ with little cation mixing. A walnutkernel- like morphology is formed by nanosheets, leading to a nanoporous material. The lateral plane of nanosheets are {010}-faceted, which could provide multiple channels for Li⁺ -ion migration. The electrochemical properties of the lithium cells used this material as cathode are excellent: the specific discharge capacity at 0.5C, 1C, 3C, 5C and 10C is, respectively, up to 172.90, 153.95, 147.09, 142.16, and 131.23 mAh{bullet operator}g^-1 between 3.0 and 4.6 V at room temperature. These excellent features will make the nanostructured LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ become a positive electrode material of potential interest for useful applications, such as in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.