Effects of different precipitants on LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 for lithium ion batteries prepared by modified co-precipitation method

Effects of two different precipitants of Na2CO3 and Na2C2O4 on LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathode materials, which are prepared by a modified co-precipitation method, have been investigated. Various measurements have been applied to characterize the physical and electrochemical performances of LNMO. Compared with the LNMO prepared by the oxalate co-precipitation (LNMO2), the material synthesized by the carbonate co-precipitation (LNMO1) not only shows more uniform porosity and smaller particles but also has a better rate capability and cycling performance. In addition, the sample prepared by carbonate has a stable spherical structure, due to the fact that carbonate co-precipitation with less gas release during calcination can prevent the destruction of the as-prepared LNMO material structure and promote the formation of regular particle and aperture. Based on the electrochemical test results, LNMO1 shows greatly enhanced electrochemical performance of a high initial discharge capacity of 125.6 mAh g(-1) at 0.25 A degrees C, as well as a preferably capacity retention of 96.5% after 100 cycles at 0.5 A degrees C. And even at a high rate of 10 A degrees C, the discharge capacity of LNMO1-based cell still approaches 83.1 mAh g(-1).