Influence of NiCl2 modification on the electrochemical performance of LiV3O8 cathode for lithium ion batteries

The 5.0, 8.0, and 10.0 wt% NiCl₂-modified LiV₃O₈ materials are successfully prepared and the effects of NiCl₂ modification on the electrochemical performance of LiV₃O₈ cathode have been investigated. The structural and surface morphologic properties of synthesized materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties are investigated by charge–discharge testing and cyclic voltammetry. It is found that 8.0 wt% NiCl₂-modified LiV₃O₈ shows excellent electrochemical properties. The initial discharge capacity of 8.0 wt% NiCl₂-modified LiV₃O₈ is much higher than that of pristine LiV₃O₈, and can attain 336.7 mAh g^?1 at the current rate of 0.5 C (300 mA g^?1 is assumed to be 1 C rate). Additionally, NiCl₂ modification significantly improves the cyclability of LiV₃O₈. The NiCl₂ modification is shown to be able to suppress the capacity fade of LiV₃O₈ without specific capacity expense by suppressing the characteristic phase transitions during cycling.