Controlled synthesis of Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles by chemical reducing method in ethylene glycol

Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) nanoparticles with particle size range from 2 to 12 nm were successfully synthesized by chemical reducing method. Antimony trichloride was reduced by hydrazine with the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as catalyst in ethylene glycol at 120 °C for 1 h. Effects of hydrazine concentration ([N₂H₅OH]/[Sb³⁺] = 0.75, 5, 10, 20, and 30, when concentration of NaOH was fixed [NaOH]/[Sb³⁺] = 3) and NaOH concentration ([NaOH]/[Sb³⁺] = 0, 1, 3, and 5, when concentration of hydrazine was fixed [N₂H₅OH]/[Sb³⁺] = 10) on the particle size and shape of the Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles were investigated. Transmission electron microscope, selected area electron diffraction pattern, and high resolution electron microscope were employed to study the morphology and crystallinity of the nanoparticles. It was observed that the particle size decreased and remained constant when [N₂H₅OH]/[Sb³⁺]) ≥ 10 and [NaOH]/[Sb³⁺] = 3. Further study on the crystallinity and phase of the nanoparticles was assisted by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). XRD revealed a cubic phase of Sb₂O₃ (ICDD file no. 00-043-1071) with preferred plane of (622) and lattice spacing of 1.68 Å. Correlation between UV–visible absorption wavelengths of the nanoparticles and their sizes was established.     

Synthesis of hierarchical Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> spheres with high electrochemical performance via spray drying

Hierarchical Na₂FeP₂O₇ spheres with nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by a facile spray drying method. A relatively low drying temperature was introduced in order to form a carbon layer on the surface. As a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries, it delivered a reversible capacity of 84.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and showed excellent cycling and rate performance (64.7 mAh g^?1 at 5 C). Furthermore, a full sodium battery was fabricated using SP-Na₂FeP₂O₇ as the cathode and hard carbon as the anode, suffering almost no capacity loss after 400 cycles at 1 C. Due to its superior electrochemical property and the low materials cost, Na₂FeP₂O₇ is becoming a promising cathode material for large-scale energy storage systems.     

Surface-modified Li[Li<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.54</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>]O<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles with LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> as cathode for Li-ion battery

The LaF₃-coated Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method followed by simple chemical deposition process. The crystal structure, particle morphology, and electrochemical properties of the bare and coated materials were studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, charge–discharge tests. The results showed that the surface coating on Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂ nanoparticles were amorphous LaF₃ layer with a thickness of about 10–30 nm. After the surface modification with LaF₃ films, the coating layer served as a protective layer to suppress the side reaction between the positive electrode and electrolyte, and the Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂ oxide demonstrated the improved electrochemical properties. The LaF₃-coated Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13]O₂ electrode delivered the capacities of 270.5, 247.9, 197.1, 170.0, 142.7, and 109.5 mAh g^?1 at current rates of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 C rate, respectively. Besides, the capacity retention was increased from 85.1 to 94.8 % after 100 cycles at 0.5 C rate. It implied surface modification with LaF₃ played an important role to improve the cyclic stability and rate capacity of the Li-rich nickel manganese oxides.     

Controlled synthesis of photoluminescent Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> nanoparticles from metal-organic polymeric precursor

Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BIT) nanoparticles with a narrow average particle size distribution in the range of 11–46 nm was synthesized via a metal-organic polymeric precursor process. The crystallite size and lattice parameter of BIT were determined by XRD analysis. At annealing temperatures >550 °C, the orthorhombic BIT compound with lattice parameters a = 5.4489 Å, b = 5.4147 Å, and c = 32.8362 Å was formed while at lower annealing temperatures orthorhombicity was absent. Reaction proceeded via the formation of an intermediate phase at 500 °C with a stoichiometry close to Bi₂Ti₂O₇. The particle size and the agglomerates of the primary particles have been confirmed by FESEM and TEM. The decomposition of the polymeric gel was ascertained in order to evaluate the crystallization process from TG-DSC analysis. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the lattice dynamics in BIT nanoparticles. In addition, investigation of the dependence of the visible emission band around the blue–green color emission on annealing temperatures and grain sizes showed that the effect of grain size plays important roles, and that oxygen vacancies may act as the radiative centers responsible for the observed visible emission band.     

Synthesis and microstructure of Co/Ni: MgGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles

This report discusses the preparation and microstructure of Co/Ni co-doped MgGa₂O₄ nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with the size of 20–55 nm were synthesized by sol-gel method. The phase and crystallinity were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern. The particle size was estimated according to XRD data and transmission electron microscopy. The electronic structure was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS studies showed that Ga³⁺ ions possess tetrahedral and octahedral sites of spinel structure and the inverse degree (two times of the fraction of tetrahedral Ga³⁺ ions) has increased with the increase of the doping concentration of Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. For Co/Ni co-doped MgGa₂O₄, two broad absorption bands of 350~500 and 550~700 nm were observed in the absorption spectra. The broad band at 350~500 nm was assigned to the combination of the absorption of octahedral Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions, whereas the absorption band at 550~700 nm is mainly due to tetrahedrally coordinated Co²⁺ ions and octahedrally coordinated Ni²⁺ ions.     

V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrid as anode material for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

V₂O₅-SiO₂ hybrid material was fabricated by heat-treating a mixture of H₂SiO₃ and V₂O₅. SEM, TEM, XRD, and N₂ isotherm analyses were performed to characterize the morphology and structure details of the as-prepared V₂O₅-SiO₂. The possibility of using the as-prepared V₂O₅-SiO₂ as anode material for aqueous lithium-ion batteries was investigated. Potentiostatic and galvanostatic results indicated that the intercalation/de-intercalation of Li⁺ in this material in aqueous electrolyte was quasi-reversible. It was also found that a discharge capacity of up to 199.1 mAh g^?1 was obtained at a current density of 50 mA g^?1 in aqueous solution of 1 M Li₂SO₄, a value which is much higher than the available reported capacities of vanadium (+5) oxides in aqueous electrolytes.     

A novel graphene-chitosan-Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposite modified sensor for sensitive and selective electrochemical determination of a monoamine neurotransmitter epinephrine

A novel sensitive electrochemical sensor has been developed by modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with graphene (GRP), chitosan (CHIT), and bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles. The morphological characteristics of nanocomposite (GRP-CHIT-Bi₂O₃ or GCB) were studied by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical behavior of epinephrine at nanocomposite modified GCE (GCB/GCE) was investigated in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. GCB/GCE showed an enhancement in the current response as compared to bare GCE. Electrochemical impedance spectra showed a reduction of charge transfer resistance and higher electrocatalytic behavior of the sensor. The electrooxidation process of epinephrine at the modified sensor was found to be diffusion controlled. GCB/GCE showed a linear response to epinephrine in the range 100 to 500 nM. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 3.56 and 11.85 nM, respectively, which is lower than many other sensors reported for epinephrine in literature. The modified sensor showed high sensitivity (1.3 nA/nM) and selectivity for epinephrine. The method was employed for quantification of epinephrine in pharmaceutical formulation and human blood serum samples.     

CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> modified Ni-YSZ anode for solid oxide fuel cell

Ni sintering at high temperature (～ 800 °C) operation drastically degrades the performance of Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Mixed ionic and electronic conductive oxides such as CeO₂ and Nb₂O₅ enhance the dispersion of Ni, CeO₂ enhances the redox behavior and promotes charge transfer reactions, and Nb₂O₅ increases the triple phase boundary. In the present work, anode-supported SOFC is fabricated and tested in H₂ fuel at 800 °C. YSZ and lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM)-YSZ are used as the electrolyte and composite cathode with NiO-YSZ, CeO₂-NiO-YSZ, and Nb₂O₅-NiO-YSZ as an anode. The peak power density obtained for the cell with 10% CeO₂–30% NiO-YSZ anode at the 5 and 25 h of operation is 330 and 290 mW cm^?2 which is higher than that for 40% NiO-YSZ anode (275 mW cm^?2 at 5 h). The peak power density obtained for the cell with 10% Nb₂O₅–30% NiO-YSZ anode at the 5 and 25 h of operation is 301 and 285 mW cm^?2 which is higher than that for 40% NiO-YSZ anode (275 mW cm^?2 at 5 h). Physical characterization has been carried to study morphology, elemental analysis, particle size, and phase formation of the fabricated anode before and after cell operation to correlate the cell performance.     

Red,Yellow, Blue and Green Emission from Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Doped Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>nano-Phosphors

Rare earth elements (RE = Eu³⁺& Dy³⁺)and Bi³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized by urea hydrolysis method in ethylene glycol, which acts as reaction medium as well as a capping agent, at a low temperature of 140 °C,followed by calcination of the obtained product. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images reveals that ovoid shaped Y₂O₃ nanoparticles of around 22–24 nm size range were obtained in this method. The respective RE and Bi³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ precursor nanoparticles when heated at 600 and 750 °C, retains the same shape as that of the as-synthesized Y₂O₃ precursor samples. From EDAX spectra, the incorporation of RE ions into the host has been studied. XRD pattern reveals the crystalline nature of the heated nanoparticles and indicate the absence of any impurity phase other than cubic Y₂O₃.However, the as-synthesized nanoparticles were highly amorphous without the presence of any sharp XRD peaks. Photoluminescence study suggests that the synthesized samples could be used as red (Eu³⁺), yellow (Dy³⁺), blue and green (Bi³⁺)emitting phosphors.     

Modification research of LiAlO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> as a cathode material for lithium-ion battery

The LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ with LiAlO₂ coating was obtained by hydrolysis–hydrothermal method. The morphology of the composite was characterized by SEM, TEM, and EDS. The results showed that the LiAlO₂ layer was almost completely covered on the surface of particle, and the thickness of coating was about 8–12 nm. The LiAlO₂ coating suppressed side reaction between composite and electrolyte; thus, the electrochemical performance of the LiAlO₂-coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ was improved at 40 °C. The LiAlO₂-coated sample delivered a high discharge capacity of 181.2 mAh g^?1 (1 C) with 93.5% capacity retention after 100 cycles at room temperature and 87.4% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 40 °C. LiAlO₂-coated material exhibited an excellent cycling stability and thermal stability compared with the pristine material. These works will contribute to the battery structure optimization and design.     

Investigation on lithium ion conductivity and structural stability of yttrium-substituted Li<Subscript>7</Subscript>La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Advanced Li-air battery architecture demands a high Li⁺ conductive solid electrolyte membrane that is electrochemically stable against metallic lithium and aqueous electrolyte. In this work, an investigation has been carried out on the microstructure, Li⁺ conduction behaviour and structural stability of Li₇La_3-x Y _x Zr₂O₁₂ (x = 0.125, 0.25 and 0.50) prepared by conventional solid-state reaction technique. The phase analysis of Li₇La_3-x Y _x Zr₂O₁₂ (x = 0.125, 0.25 and 0.50) sintered at 1200 °C by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman confirms the formation of high Li⁺ conductive cubic phase (\( Ia\overline{3}d \)) lithium garnets. Among the investigated lithium garnets, Li₇La_2.75Y_0.25Zr₂O₁₂ sintered at 1200 °C exhibits a maximized room temperature total (bulk + grain boundary) Li⁺ conductivity of 3.21 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 along with improved relative density of 96 %. The preliminary investigation on the structural stability of Li₇La_2.75Y_0.25Zr₂O₁₂ in the solutions of 1 M LiCl, dist. H₂O and 1 M LiOH at 30 °C/50 °C indicates that the Li₇La_2.75Y_0.25Zr₂O₁₂ is relatively stable against 1 M LiCl and dist. H₂O. Further electrochemical investigation is essential for practical application of Li₇La_2.75Y_0.25Zr₂O₁₂ as protective solid electrolyte membrane in aqueous Li-air battery.     

Facile one-pot synthesis of cellulose nanocrystal-supported hollow CuFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles as efficient catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction

A facile and efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of well-dispersed hollow CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (H-CuFe₂O₄ NPs) in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as the support was described. Based on the one-pot solvothermal condition control, magnetic H-CuFe₂O₄ NPs were in-situ grown on the CNC surface uniformly. TEM images indicated good dispersity of H-CuFe₂O₄ NPs with uniform size of 300 nm. The catalytic activity of H-CuFe₂O₄/CNC was tested in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous solution. Compared with most CNC-based ferrite catalysts, H-CuFe₂O₄/CNC catalyst exhibited an excellent catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4-NP. The catalytic performance of H-CuFe₂O₄/CNC catalyst was remarkably enhanced with the rate constant of 3.24 s^?1 g^?1, which was higher than H-CuFe₂O₄ NPs (0.50 s^?1 g^?1). The high catalytic activity was attributed to the introduction of CNC and the special hollow mesostructure of H-CuFe₂O₄ NPs. In addition, the H-CuFe₂O₄/CNC catalyst promised good conversion efficiency without significant decrease even after 10 cycles, confirming relatively high stability. Because of its environmental sustainability and magnetic separability, H-CuFe₂O₄/CNC catalyst was shown to indicate that the ferrite nanoparticles supported on CNC were acted as a promising catalyst and exhibited potential applications in numerous ferrite based catalytic reactions.

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Thermoeletrochemical study on LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> with in situ modification of Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

To improve the electrochemical performance of Nickel-rich cathode material LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, an in situ coating technique with Li₂ZrO₃ is successfully applied through wet chemical method, and the thermoelectrochemical properties of the coated material at different ambient temperatures and charge-discharge rates are investigated by electrochemical-calorimetric method. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests demonstrate that the Li₂ZrO₃ coating decreases the electrode polarizatoin and reduces the charge transfer resistance of the material during cycling. Moreover, it is found that with the ambient temperatures and charge-discharge rates increase, the specific capacity decreases, the amount of heat increases, and the enthalpy change (ΔH) increases. The specific capacity of the cells at 30 °C are 203.8, 197.4, 184.0, and 174.5 mAh g^?1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 C, respectively. Under the same rate (2.0 C), the amounts of heat of the cells are 381.64, 645.32, and 710.34 mJ at 30, 40, and 50 °C. These results indicate that Li₂ZrO₃ coating plays an important role to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ and reveal that choosing suitable temperature and current is critical for solving battery safety problem.     

Influence of K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript> on dielectric and barrier properties of polymer

Polymer composite comprising polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and potassium hexatitante (K₂Ti₆O₁₃) was synthesized by solution casting. The effect of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ on surface, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer composite were investigated. The addition of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ with polymer leads to thermal degradation and transition of polymer composite from semi-crystalline to amorphous phase. The optimum results of contact angle for different loading wt% of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ were directly correlated with the surface morphology. Our experimental results confirmed the incorporation of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ in polymer by SEM micrographs. The evaluated dielectric properties (ε' = 424; tan δ = 2.14 at 130 °C and 100 Hz frequency for 20 wt% loading of K₂Ti₆O₁₃) for polymer composite are higher in compared to pure polymer. The enhancement in dielectric constant and changing the surface properties of polymer composite can be used for the development of electrochemical storage device applications.     

Investigation on the electrochemical performances of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> for battery applications

In this study, well-crystallized Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ powder was synthesized by a self-propagating combustion method using citric acid as a reducing agent. Various conditions were studied in order to find the optimal conditions for the synthesis of pure Li₄Mn₅O₁₂. The precursor obtained was then annealed at different temperatures for 24 h in a furnace. X-ray diffraction results showed that Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ crystallite is stable at relatively low temperature of 400 °C but decompose to spinel LiMn₂O₄ and monoclinic Li₂MnO₃ at temperatures higher than 500 °C. The prepared samples were also characterized by FESEM and charge-discharge tests. The result showed that the specific capacity of 70.7 mAh/g was obtained within potential range of 4.2 to 2.5 V at constant current of 1.0 mA. The electrochemical performances of Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ material was further discussed in this paper.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of P2-Na<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The pure phase P2-Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ was synthesized by a solid reaction process. The optimum calcination temperature was 850 °C. The as-prepared product delivered a capacity of 158 mAh g^?1 in the voltage range of 2–4.5 V, and there was a phase transition from P2 to O2 at about 4.2 V in the charge process. The P2 phase exhibited excellent intercalation behavior of Na ions. The reversible capacity is about 88.5 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C in the voltage range of 2–4 V at room temperature. At an elevated temperature of 55 °C, it could remain as an excellent capacity retention at low current rates. The P2-Na_2/3Ni_1/3Mn_2/3O₂ is a potential cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of pure LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> from nanostructured MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> precursors for aqueous hybrid supercapacitors

Pure LiMn₂O₄ samples with high crystallinity (LMO-1# and LMO-2#) were successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method using δ-MnO₂ nanoflowers and α-MnO₂ nanowires as the precursors. The as-prepared samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and their capacitive properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. Two LiMn₂O₄ samples showed good capacitive behavior in aqueous hybrid supercapacitors. AC//LMO-1# and AC//LMO-2# delivered the initial specific capacitance of 45.4 and 40.7 F g^?1 in 1 M Li₂SO₄ electrolyte at a current density of 200 mA g^?1 in the potential range of 0～1.5 V, respectively. After 1000 cycles, the capacitance retention was 97.6% for AC//LMO-1# and 93.7% for AC//LMO-2#. Obviously, LMO-1# from δ-MnO₂ nanoflowers exhibited higher specific capacitance and better cycling performance than LMO-2#, so LMO-1# was more suitable as the positive electrode material in hybrid supercapacitors.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery cathode Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C

Li-ion battery cathode material lithium-vanadium-phosphate Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ was synthesized by a carbon-thermal reduction method, using stearic acid, LiH₂PO₄, and V₂O₅ as raw materials. And stearic acid acted as reductant, carbon source, and surface active agent. The effect of its content on the crystal structure and electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C were characterized by XRD and electrochemical performance testing, respectively. The results showed that the content of carbon source has no significant effect on the crystal structure of lithium vanadium phosphate. Lihtium vanadium phosphate obtained with 12.3% stearic acid demonstrated the best electrochemical properties with a typical discharge capacity of 119.4 mAh/g at 0.1 C and capacity retention behavior of 98.5% after 50 cycles. And it has high reversible discharge capacity of 83 mAh/g at 5 C with the voltage window of 3 to 4.3 V.     

Synthesis and characterization of hollow nanoparticles of crystalline Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Although Gd₂O₃ (gadolinia) nanoparticle is the subject of intense research interest due to its magnetic property as well as controllable emission wavelengths by doping of various lanthanide ions, it is known to be difficult to prepare monodisperse crystalline gadolinia nanoparticles because it requires high temperature thermal annealing process to enhance the crystallinity. In this article, we demonstrate the synthesis of hollow nanoparticles of crystalline Gd₂O₃ by employing poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) to stabilize the surface of Gd(OH)CO₃·H₂O nanoparticles and to successively form SiO₂ shell as a protecting layer to prevent aggregation during calcinations processes. Silica shells could be selectively removed after calcinations by a treatment with basic solution to give hollow nanoparticles of crystalline Gd₂O₃. The formation mechanism of hollow nanoparticles could be suggested based on several characterization results of the size and shape, and crystallinity of Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles by TEM, SEM, and XRD.     

Acacia gum-assisted co-precipitating synthesis of LiNi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ 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 LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ particles. Anyway, the excellent electrochemical performances of LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ sample should be attributed to the use of acacia gum.