A Li-rich Layered@Spinel@Carbon heterostructured cathode material for high capacity and high rate lithium-ion batteries fabricated via an in situ synchronous carbonization-reduction method

A novel Layered@Spinel@Carbon heterostructure is successfully fabricated via an in situ synchronous carbonization-reduction process based on a bio-inspired coating method, which comprises a core of Li-rich layered (R (3) over barm) oxide, a spinel phase (Fd (3) over barm) interlayer and a carbon nano-coating. This unique structure, which combines the advantages of the high capacity Li-rich layered structure, 3D fast Li+ diffusion channels of the spinel structure and the high conductivity of the carbon coating, shows extremely high discharge capacity (as high as 334.5 mA h g(-1)) and superior rate capability. This strategy may provide some new insights into the design and synthesis of various electrode materials for high performance energy storage devices.