Effect of flower-like Ni(OH)2 precursors on Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing and electrochemical performance of nickel-rich layered cathode

Nickel-rich metal oxide layered cathode is the most potential material for high specific capacity Li-ion battery. However, the unstable cycle performance and undesirable rate capacity limit its further application. Herein, we propose a methodology of using nanoflakes assembled flower-like Ni(OH)(2) microspheres as self-sacrificing precursors to synthesize nickel-rich layered LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2. The morphologies of precursors have significant influences on the oxidation degree of Ni2+ during sintering, Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing and electrochemical performance of lithiation materials. The sample (NCM-NF1) synthesized through dense deposit nanoflakes assembled flower-like Ni(OH)(2) precursor exhibits the best cycle stability and rate capacity among three samples. Between 2.8 V and 4.3 V, the NCM-NF1 exhibits a capacity retention of 98% after 60 cycles at 0.2 C; between 2.8 V and 4.6 V, the NCM-NF1 delivers a discharge capacity of 218.2 mA h g(-1) at 0.2 C and 170.9 mA h g(-1) at 5 C. The satisfactory electrochemical performance of NCM-NF1 could be attributed to the lower Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing and weaker polarization. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.