Morphology and electrochemical performance of Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 cathode materials treated in molten salts

Cube-like and plate-like Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O-2 particles are obtained after treated in LiCl and KCl molten salts at 800 degrees C, respectively, comparing to the ball-like original particles calcined in air. The oxide treated in KCl molten salt with large specific area of 17.05 m(2) g(-1) delivers high discharge capacities of 254.1 mAh g(-1) and 168.5 mAh g(-1) at current densities of 200 mA g(-1) and 2000 mA g(-1), respectively. In addition, enhanced cycle stability with capacity retention of 94.9% after 80 cycles at charge-discharge current densities of 200 mA g(-1) is obtained for the oxide treated in LiCl molten salt with sacrifice of a little capacity. Such electrochemical performance change is proved to be independent of Li+ diffusion coefficient. It appears that the treatment in molten salts can effectively reform the electrochemical performances of Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O-2 cathode materials for various applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.