Enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium ion batteries of a hollow spherical lithium-rich cathode material synthesized by a molten salt method

A high voltage layered Li1.2Ni0.16Co0.08Mn0.56O2 cathode material with a hollow spherical structure has been synthesized by molten-salt method in a NaCl flux. Characterization by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed its structure and proved that the as-prepared powder is constituted of small, homogenously sized hollow spheres (1-1.5 mu m). The material exhibited enhanced rate capability and high first cycle efficiency due to the good dispersion of secondary particles. Galvanostatic cycling at different temperatures (20, 40, and 60 A degrees C) and a current rate of 2 C (500 mA center dot g(-1)) showed no significant capacity fade.