ZrO2 coating of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

ZrO2-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials were prepared by hydroxide precipitation. The structure and electrochemical properties of the ZrO2-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and charge-discharge tests, indicating that the lattice structure of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 were unchanged after the coating but the cycling stability was improved. As the coating amount increased from 0.0 to 0.5 mol.%, the initial capacity of the coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 decreased slightly; however, the cycling stability increased remarkably over the cut-off voltages of 2.5 similar to 4.3 V and the capacity retention reached 99.5% after 30 cycles at the coating amount of 0.5 mol.%. ZrO2 coating also improved the cycling stability of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 over wider cut-off voltage of 2.5 similar to 4.6 V.