Comparison of corn starch-assisted sol–gel and combustion methods to prepare LiMn x Co y Ni z O2 compounds

In a novel attempt to exploit corn starch as gelling agent (in sol–gel method) and combustible fuel (in solution-assisted combustion method), high-capacity LiMn_0.4Ni_0.4Co_0.2O₂ and LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ cathode materials have been prepared and a comparison of electrochemical performance of the same has been made. Among the two compounds chosen for the study, LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ exhibits better physical and electrochemical properties. Particularly, LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ cathode synthesized using corn starch-assisted combustion method exhibits an appreciable capacity of 176 mAh g^?1, excellent capacity retention of 93 % up to 100 cycles and susceptible to rate capability test up to 1 C rate, thus qualifying the same for high-capacity and high-rate lithium battery applications. The study demonstrates the possibility of exploiting corn starch as gelling agent and as a combustible fuel in synthesizing lithium intercalating oxide compounds with improved electrochemical behaviour.     

Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2掺杂Mo研究

采用高温固相合成法制备了Li[Ni_(1－x)/3Mn_(1－x)/3Co_(1－x)/3Mo_x]O₂ (x＝0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02). 对它们进行了XRD, SEM, 循环伏安及充放电容量测试, 结果发现, 掺杂x＝0.01 Mo的样品具有较高的嵌锂容量和良好的循环稳定性, 在20 mA/g放电电流密度和2.3～4.6 V的电压范围内具有211.6 mAh/g的首次放电比容量, 循环50周后放电比容量仍能达到185.9 mAh/g, 容量损失为12.1%.     

Electrochemical and Structural Study of Layered P2‐Type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 as Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Battery

P2‐type Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ was synthesized by a controlled co‐precipitation method followed by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction and was used as a cathode material for a sodium‐ion battery (SIB). The electrochemical behavior of this layered material was studied and an initial discharge capacity of 151.8 mA h g^?1 was achieved in the voltage range of 1.5–3.75 V versus Na⁺/Na. The retained discharge capacity was found to be 123.5 mA h g^?1 after charging/discharging 50 cycles, approximately 81.4 % of the initial discharge capacity. In situ X‐ray diffraction analysis was used to investigate the sodium insertion and extraction mechanism and clearly revealed the reversible structural changes of the P2‐Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ and no emergence of the O2‐Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ phase during the cycling test, which is important for designing stable and high‐performance SIB cathode materials.     

碳酸盐共沉淀法可控制备超高倍率锂离子电池正极材料LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)O_2

采用碳酸盐共沉淀法通过调节NH_3·H_2O用量来实现可控制备超高倍率纳米结构LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)O_2正极材料。NH_3·H_2O用量会对颗粒的形貌、粒径、晶体结构以及材料电化学性能产生较大的影响。X射线衍射(XRD)分析和扫描电镜(SEM)结果表明,随着NH_3·H_2O用量的降低,一次颗粒形貌由纳米片状逐渐过渡到纳米球状,且nNH_3·H_2O∶(nNi+nCo+nMn)=1∶2样品晶体层状结构最完善、Li~+/Ni~(2+)阳离子混排程度最低。电化学性能测试结果也证实了nNH_3·H_2O∶(nNi+nCo+nMn)=1∶2样品具有最优异的循环稳定性和超高倍率性能。具体而言,在2.7~4.3 V,1C下循环300次后的放电比容量为119 m Ah·g~(-1),容量保持率为81%,中值电压基本无衰减(保持率为97%)。在100C(18 Ah·g~(-1))的超高倍率下,放电比容量还能达到56 m Ah·g~(-1),具有应用于高功率型锂离子电池的前景。此NH_3·H_2O比例值对于共沉淀法制备其他高倍率、高容量的正/负极氧化物材料具有一定的工艺参考价值。     

碳酸盐共沉淀法可控制备超高倍率锂离子电池正极材料LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2

采用碳酸盐共沉淀法通过调节NH₃·H₂O用量来实现可控制备超高倍率纳米结构LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂正极材料。NH₃·H₂O用量会对颗粒的形貌、粒径、晶体结构以及材料电化学性能产生较大的影响。X射线衍射（XRD）分析和扫描电镜（SEM）结果表明,随着NH₃·H₂O用量的降低,一次颗粒形貌由纳米片状逐渐过渡到纳米球状,且n_NH3·H2O：（n_Ni+n_Co+n_Mn）=1：2样品晶体层状结构最完善、Li⁺/Ni²⁺阳离子混排程度最低。电化学性能测试结果也证实了n_NH3·H2O：（n_Ni+n_Co+n_Mn）=1：2样品具有最优异的循环稳定性和超高倍率性能。具体而言,在2.7~4.3 V,1C下循环300次后的放电比容量为119 mAh·g^-1,容量保持率为81%,中值电压基本无衰减（保持率为97%）。在100C（18 Ah·g^-1）的超高倍率下,放电比容量还能达到56 mAh·g^-1,具有应用于高功率型锂离子电池的前景。此NH₃·H₂O比例值对于共沉淀法制备其他高倍率、高容量的正/负极氧化物材料具有一定的工艺参考价值。     

Effects of complexants on [Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]CO3 morphology and electrochemical performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2

LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials for the application of lithium ion batteries were synthesized by carbonate co-precipitation routine using different ammonium salt as a complexant. The structures and morphologies of the precursor [Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]CO₃ and LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ were investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ were examined using charge/discharge cycling and cyclic voltammogram tests. The results revealed that the microscopic structures, particle size distribution, and the morphology properties of the precursor and electrochemical performance of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ were primarily dependent on the complexant. Among all as-prepared LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials, the sample prepared from Na₂CO₃–NH₄HCO₃ routine using NH₄HCO₃ as the complexant showed the smallest irreversible capacity of 19.5 mAh g⁻¹ and highest discharge capacity of 178.4 mAh g⁻¹ at the first cycle as well as stable cycling performance (98.7% of the initial capacity was retained after 50 cycles) at 0.1 C (20 mA g⁻¹) in the voltage range of 2.5–4.4 V vs. Li⁺/Li. Moreover, it delivered high discharge capacity of over 135 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C (1,000 mA g⁻¹).     

Coating of Al2O3 on layered Li(Mn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3)O2 using CO2 as green precipitant and their improved electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries

Li(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3)O₂ cathode materials were fabricated by a hydroxide precursor method. Al₂O₃ was coated on the surface of the Li(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3)O₂ through a simple and effective one-step electrostatic self-assembly method. In the coating process, a NHCO₃-H₂CO₃ buffer was formed spontaneously when CO₂ was introduced into the NaAlO₂ solution. Compared with bare Li(Mn_1/3M_1/3Co_1/3)O₂, the surface-modified samples exhibited better cycling performance, rate capability and rate capability retention. The Al₂O₃-coated Li(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3)O₂ electrodes delivered a discharge capacity of about 115 mAh·g^?1 at 2 A·g^?1, but only 84 mAh·g^?1 for the bare one. The capacity retention of the Al₂O₃-coated Li(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3)O₂ was 90.7% after 50 cycles, about 30% higher than that of the pristine one.     

Electrochemical behavior of spherical LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 as cathode material for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

Spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ powders have been synthesized from co-precipitated spherical metal hydroxide. The electrochemical performances of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ electrodes in 1 M LiNO₃, 5 M LiNO₃, and saturated LiNO₃ aqueous electrolytes have been studied using cyclic voltammetry and ac impedance tests in this work. The results show that LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ electrode in saturated LiNO₃ electrolyte exhibits the best electrochemical performance. An aqueous rechargeable lithium battery containing LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode, LiV_2.9Ni_0.050Mn_0.050O₈ anode, and saturated LiNO₃ electrolyte is fabricated. The battery delivers an initial capacity of 98.2 mAh g⁻¹ and keeps a capacity of 63.9 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at a rate of 0.5 C (278 mA g⁻¹ was assumed to be 1 C rate).     

Significant improved electrochemical performance of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathode on volumetric energy density and cycling stability at high rate

Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ microspheres with a tap density of 2.41 g cm⁻³ have been synthesized for applications in high power and high energy systems, using a simple rheological phase reaction route. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) showed no shift of anodic and cathodic peaks centred at 3.81, 3.69 V for the Ni²⁺/Ni⁴⁺ couple after first cycle. The results of power pulse area specific impedance (ASI) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests showed lower power impedance and increased thermal stability of the electrode at high rate. These merits mentioned above provided significant improved capacity and rate performance for Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ microspheres, which 159, 147 mAh g⁻¹ discharge capacity was delivered after 100 cycles between 2.5–4.6 V vs. Li at a different discharge rate of 2.5 C (500 mA g⁻¹), 5 C and a constant 0.5 C charge rate, respectively.     

高密度非球形和球形LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2的合成和性能比较

利用二次干燥法和共沉淀法分别制备出了非球形的Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3OOH前驱体和球形Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3(OH)₂前驱体, 并分别和LiNO₃混合烧结合成高密度非球形和球形的锂离子正极材料Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. XPS分析表明, 二次干燥法制备的非球形Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3OOH前驱体其过渡金属Ni, Co和Mn的价态分别是＋2, ＋3和＋4, 而共沉淀法制备的球形Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3(OH)₂前驱体其各金属价态为＋2; X射线衍射分析表明, 非球形的Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3OOH前驱体比球形的前驱体具有较高的活性, 能够在低温下合成出Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂, 而且制备的产物结晶度高, 具有规整的层状α-NaFeO₂结构, 扫描电镜显示制备的非球形产物颗粒均匀, 颗粒间隙小, 振实密度高达2.95 g•cm^－3, 远高于球形的振实密度2.35 g•cm^－3; 充放电实验表明, 由非球形前驱体制备的Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂其充放电性能和循环性能以及体积比容量均高于球形正极材料.     

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 Synthesized Using Li2CO3 as Template

Porous structure Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ has been synthesized via a facile carbonate co‐precipitation method using Li₂CO₃ as template and lithium‐source. The physical and electrochemical properties of the materials were examined by many characterizations including TGA, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, BET, CV, EIS and galvanostatic charge‐discharge cycling. The results indicate that the as‐synthesized materials by this novel method own a well‐ordered layered structure α‐NaFeO₂ [space group: R‐3m(166)], porous morphology, and an average primary particle size of about 150 nm. The porous material exhibits larger specific surface area and delivers a high initial capacity of 169.9 mAh·g^?1 at 0.1 C (1 C=180 mA·g^?1) between 2.7 and 4.3 V, and 126.4, 115.7 mAh·g^?1 are still respectively reached at high rate of 10 C and 20 C. After 100 charge‐discharge cycles at 1 C, the capacity retention is 93.3%, indicating the excellent cycling stability.     

Lithium‐Rich Layered Oxide Li1.18Ni0.15Co0.15Mn0.52O2 as the Cathode Material for Hybrid Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Li‐rich layered oxide Li_1.18Ni_0.15Co_0.15Mn_0.52O₂ (LNCM) is, for the first time, examined as the positive electrode for hybrid sodium‐ion battery and its Na⁺ storage properties are comprehensively studied in terms of galvanostatic charge–discharge curves, cyclic voltammetry and rate capability. LNCM in the proposed sodium‐ion battery demonstrates good rate capability whose discharge capacity reaches about 90 mA h g^?1 at 10 C rate and excellent cycle stability with specific capacity of about 105 mA h g^?1 for 200 cycles at 5 C rate. Moreover, ex situ ICP‐OES suggests interesting mixed‐ions migration processes: In the initial two cycles, only Li⁺ can intercalate into the LNCM cathode, whereas both Li⁺ and Na⁺ work together as the electrochemical cycles increase. Also the structural evolution of LNCM is examined in terms of ex situ XRD pattern at the end of various charge–discharge scans. The strong insight obtained from this study could be beneficial to the design of new layered cathode materials for future rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries.     

AlF3包覆对Li1.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133O2正极材料电化学性能的影响

通过共沉淀法制备锂离子电池富锂锰基正极材料Li1.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133O2,并对其进行AlF3包覆。实验结果表明,通过AlF3包覆,材料的电化学性能得到明显提高。在0.2C下,包覆前材料的首次放电比容量为253 mAh.g-1,首次充放电效率仅为88.8%。经过AlF3包覆,材料的首次放电比容量提高到294 mAh.g-1,首次充放电效率高达96.4%。同样,在1.0C下循环50次,未包覆材料的放电比容量由225 mAh.g-1降到185 mAh.g-1,容量保持率仅为82.2%。经过AlF3包覆,材料的放电比容量由230mAh.g-1仅降为222 mAh.g-1,容量保持率高达96.5%。     

Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage in Ti1.6V0.4Ni1−xCox Icosahedral Quasicrystalline Alloys

The discovery of the icosahedral phase (i‐phase) in rapidly quenched Ti_1.6V_0.4Ni_1?xCo_x (x=0.02–0.1) alloys is described herein. The i‐phase occurs in a similar amount relative to the coexisting β‐Ti phase. The electron diffraction patterns show the distinct spot anisotropy, indicating that the i‐phase is metastable. The electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of these five alloy electrodes are also reported herein. The hydrogen desorption of nonelectrochemical recombination in the cyclic voltammetric (CV) response exhibits the demand for electrocatalytic activity improvement. A discharge capacity of 261.5 mA h g^?1 was measured in a Ti_1.6V_0.4Ni_0.96Co_0.04 alloy electrode at 30 mA g^?1 and 303 K and it is shown that an appropriate amount of Co element addition would enhance the cycling stability at the expense of high‐rate discharging ability.     

Porous,hollow Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.53</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> microspheres as a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries

A porous, hollow, microspherical composite of Li₂MnO₃ and LiMn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ (composition: Li_1.2Mn_0.53Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂) was prepared using hollow MnO₂ as the sacrificial template. The resulting composite was found to be mesoporous; its pores were about 20 nm in diameter. It also delivered a reversible discharge capacity value of 220 mAh g^?1 at a specific current of 25 mA g^?1 with excellent cycling stability and a high rate capability. A discharge capacity of 100 mAh g^?1 was obtained for this composite at a specific current of 1000 mA g^?1. The high rate capability of this hollow microspherical composite can be attributed to its porous nature.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

层状Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2正极材料的合成与电化学性能研究

采用共沉淀-喷雾造粒法制备前驱体, 于750 ℃在空气中煅烧20 h合成出层状Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂正极材料, 并用XRD, SEM, 粒度分析和电性能测试考察了所得材料结构、形貌及电化学性能. 本层状Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂正极材料具有α-NaFeO₂结构, 六方晶系, R3m空间群, 其晶胞参数为a＝0.2865 nm, c＝1.4238 nm. 当材料分别在2.8～4.2, 2.8～4.5 V间进行充放电时, 其首次放电容量分别为173.5和185.4 mAh•g^－1, 首次充放电效率分别为90%和83.8%, 40次循环后容量保持率分别为96%和84%.     

Influence of preparation method on structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of spherical Li[Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2]O2

Spherical Li[Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2]O₂ was prepared by both the continuous hydroxide co-precipitation method and continuous carbonate co-precipitation method under different calcined temperatures. The physical properties and electrochemical behaviors of Li[Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2]O₂ prepared by two methods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and electrochemical measurements. It has been found that different preparation methods will result in the differences in the morphology (shape, particle size, and tap density), structure stability, and the electrochemical characteristics (shape of initial charge/discharge curve, cycle stability, and rate capability) of the final product Li[Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2]O₂. The physical and electrochemical properties of the spherical Li[Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2]O₂ prepared by continuous hydroxide co-precipitation is apparently superior to the one prepared by continuous carbonate co-precipitation method. The optimal sample prepared by continuous hydroxide co-precipitation at 820 °C exhibits a hexagonally ordered layer structure, high special discharge capacity, good capacity retention, and excellent rate capability. It delivers high initial discharge capacity of 175.2 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C rate between 3.0 and 4.3 V, and the capacity retention of 98.8 % can be maintained after 50 cycles. While the voltage range is broadened up to 2.5 and 4.6 V vs. Li⁺/Li, the special discharge capacities at 0.2 C, 0.5 C, 1 C, 2 C, 5 C, and 10 C rates are as high as 214.3, 205.0, 198.3, 183.3, 160.1 and 135.2 mAh g^?1, respectively.     

Preparation of Yolk‐Shell and Filled Co9S8 Microspheres and Comparison of their Electrochemical Properties

In this study, we report the first preparation of phase‐pure Co₉S₈ yolk–shell microspheres in a facile two‐step process and their improved electrochemical properties. Yolk–shell Co₃O₄ precursor microspheres are initially obtained by spray pyrolysis and are subsequently transformed into Co₉S₈ yolk–shell microspheres by simple sulfidation in the presence of thiourea as a sulfur source at 350 °C under a reducing atmosphere. For comparison, filled Co₉S₈ microspheres were also prepared using the same procedure but in the absence of sucrose during the spray pyrolysis. The prepared yolk–shell Co₉S₈ microspheres exhibited a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of 18 m² g^?1 with a mean pore size of 16 nm. The yolk–shell Co₉S₈ microspheres have initial discharge and charge capacities of 1008 and 767 mA h g^?1 at a current density of 1000 mA g^?1, respectively, while the filled Co₉S₈ microspheres have initial discharge and charge capacities of 838 and 638 mA h g^?1, respectively. After 100 cycles, the discharge capacities of the yolk–shell and filled microspheres are 634 and 434 mA h g^?1, respectively, and the corresponding capacity retentions after the first cycle are 82 % and 66 %.     

High-capacity Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 lithium-ion battery cathode synthesized using a green chelating agent

Quasi-spherical (Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3)(OH)₂ precursor is prepared via a continuous hydroxide co-precipitation method using sodium lactate as the green chelating agent. A layered structure Li(Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3)O₂ is synthesized by calcining the mixture of as-prepared precursor and Li₂CO₃ in air. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that Ni, Co, and Mn exist in the oxidation states of +2/+3, +3 and +4, respectively. The influence of calcination temperature on the structural, morphological, electrochemical properties of Li(Ni_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3)O₂ oxides are investigated in detail. As a result, the sample calcined at 850 °C shows excellent electrochemical performance, which could be ascribed to its good crystal structure, low cation disorder, appropriate crystallinity. This sample delivers an initial discharge capacity of 192.6 mA h g^?1 with a coulombic efficiency of 89.5 % at a current density of 20 mA g^?1, and exhibits good rate capability and stable cyclability. Finally, the electrochemical performance of the sodium lactate-derived sample is briefly compared with those of the oxalic acid-derived and ammonia-derived oxide.     

长循环高电压钠离子电池正极材料P2-Na2/3Mn1/3Bi1/3Ni1/3O2的合成及性能

镍基层状氧化物NaNiO₂钠离子电池材料具有高电压和高容量的特性,且制备方法较为简单,但姜-泰勒(Jahn-Teller)效应使其在高倍率循环下容量较低以及在高电压(4.5 V)下无法稳定循环。通过调节溶胶-凝胶工艺的条件,设计、合成了Na_2/3Mn_1/3Bi_1/3Ni_1/3O₂片层状金属氧化物,并将其作为正极活性材料,在空气环境中组装成钠离子电池,进行电化学测试,考察Bi、Mn掺入量对电池电化学影响。研究结果表明:当金属Mn和Bi共掺时,在1.2~4.5 V宽电压范围内,电池在循环50周后容量为90.39 mAh·g^-1。在2.0~4.0 V电压范围内1.0C (115 mA·g^-1)倍率下恒流充放电50周后的容量保持率为96.96%,循环850周后的保持率为80.15%,具有良好的循环稳定性和安全性。