Solid-state synthesis of Li[Li0.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08]O2 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Layered Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ cathode materials were synthesized via a solid-state reaction for Li-ion batteries, in which lithium hydroxide monohydrate, manganese dioxide, nickel monoxide, and cobalt monoxide were employed as metal precursors. To uncover the relationship between the structure and electrochemical properties of the materials, synthesis conditions such as calcination temperature and time as well as quenching methods were investigated. For the synthesized Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ materials, the metal components were found to be in the form of Mn⁴⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co³⁺, and their molar ratio was in good agreement with stoichiometric ratio of 0.56:0.16:0.08. Among them, the one synthesized at 800 °C for 12 h and subsequently quenched in air showed the best electrochemical performances, which had an initial discharge specific capacity and coulombic efficiency of 265.6 mAh/g and 84.0%, respectively, and when cycled at 0.5, 1, and 2 C, the corresponding discharge specific capacities were 237.3, 212.6, and 178.6 mAh/g, respectively. After recovered to 0.1 C rate, the discharge specific capacity became 259.5 mAh/g and the capacity loss was only 2.3% of the initial value at 0.1 C. This work suggests that the solid-state synthesis route is easy for preparing high performance Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.     

Carbon combustion synthesis of lithium cobalt oxide as cathode material for lithium ion battery

Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) was synthesized by carbon combustion synthesis (CCS) using carbon as fuel. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements showed that carbon combustion led to the formation of layered structure of LiCoO2 and the particle size could be controlled by carbon content. For the LiCoO2 sample prepared at 800 ℃ for 2 h, at molar ratio of C/Co= 0.5, the particle-size distribution fell in the narrow range of 3-5 μm. Electrochemical tests indicated this LiCoO2 sample delivered an initial discharge capacity of 148 mAh/g with capacity retention rate higher than 97% after 10 cycles.     

Carbon combustion synthesis of lithium cobalt oxide as cathode material for lithium ion battery

Lithium cobalt oxide （LiCoO2） was synthesized by carbon combustion synthesis （CCS） using carbon as fuel. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） measurements showed that carbon combustion led to the formation of layered structure of LiCoO2 and the particle size could be controlled by carbon content. For the LiCoO2 sample prepared at 800℃ for 2 h, at molar ratio of C/Co = 0.5, the particle-size distribution fell in the narrow range of 3-5 μm. Electrochemical tests indicated this LiCoO2 sample delivered an initial discharge capacity of 148 mAh/g with capacity retention rate higher than 97% after 10 cycles.     

Enhanced wettability and thermal stability of nano-SiO2/poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated polypropylene composite separators for lithium-ion batteries

To improve the electrolyte wettability and thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) separators, nano-SiO₂/poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated PP composite separators were prepared using a simple but efficient sol–gel and dip-coating method. The effects of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) dosage on the morphology, wettability, and thermal stability of the composite separators were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact-angle measurements. All the composite separators gave a smaller contact angle, higher electrolyte uptake, and lower thermal shrinkage compared with the PP separator, indicating enhanced wettability and thermal stability. Unlike the case for a traditional physical mixture, SiOC covalent bonds were formed in the coating layer. The composite separator with a TEOS dosage of 7.5 wt% had a unique porous structure combining hierarchical pores with interstitial voids, and gave the best wettability and thermal stability. The ionic conductivity of the composite separator containing 7.5 wt% TEOS was 1.26 mS/cm, which is much higher than that of the PP separator (0.74 mS/cm). The C-rate and cycling performances of batteries assembled with the composite separator containing 7.5 wt% TEOS were better than those of batteries containing PP separators.     

Mesoporous composite of LiFePO4 and carbon microspheres as positive-electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Mesoporous LiFePO₄/C microspheres consisting of LiFePO₄ nanoparticles are successfully fabricated by an eco-friendly hydrothermal approach combined with high-temperature calcinations using cost-effective LiOH and Fe³⁺ salts as raw materials. In this strategy, pure mesoporous LiFePO₄ microspheres, which are composed of LiFePO₄ nanoparticles, were uniformly coated with carbon (∼1.5 nm). Benefiting from this unique architecture, these mesoporous LiFePO₄/C microspheres can be closely packed, having high tap density. The initial discharge capacity of LiFePO₄/C microspheres as positive-electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries could reach 165.3 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate, which is notably close to the theoretical capacity of LiFePO₄ due to the large BET surface area, which provides for a large electrochemically available surface for the active material and electrolyte. The material also exhibits high rate capability (∼100 mAh/g at 8 C) and good cycling stability (capacity retention of 92.2% after 400 cycles at 8 C rate).     

Mesoporous composite of LiFePO4 and carbon microspheres as positive-electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Mesoporous LiFePO4/C microspheres consisting of LiFePO4 nanoparticles are successfully fabricated by an eco-friendly hydrothermal approach combined with high-temperature calcinations using cost-effective LiOH and Fe3＋ salts as raw materials.In this strategy,pure mesoporous LiFePO4 microspheres,which are composed of LiFePO4 nanoparticles,were uniformly coated with carbon（1.5nm）.Benefiting from this unique architecture,these mesoporous LiFePO4/C microspheres can be closely packed,having high tap density.The initial discharge capacity of LiFePO4/C microspheres as positive-electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries could reach 165.3 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate,which is notably close to the theoretical capacity of LiFePO4 due to the large BET surface area,which provides for a large electrochemically available surface for the active material and electrolyte.The material also exhibits high rate capability（100 mAh/g at 8 C） and good cycling stability（capacity retention of 92.2%after 400 cycles at 8 C rate）.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of carbon-coated LiFePO4/LiMnPO4-positive material for a Li-ion battery

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄)/lithium manganese phosphate (LiMnPO₄)-positive material was successfully prepared through ball milling and high-temperature sintering using manganese acetate, lithium hydroxide, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, and ferrous oxalate as raw materials. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, a constant current charge–discharge test, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of lithium iron phosphate coating were also discussed. Because of its special core–shell structure, the as-prepared LiMn_0.7Fe_0.3PO₄–LiFePO₄–C exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. The discharge capacity reached 136.6 mAh/g and the specific discharge energy reached 506.9 Wh/kg at a rate of 0.1 C.