Electrochemical performance of LiCo1/3Mn1/3Ni1/3O2 hollow spheres as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

LiCo1/3Mn1/3Ni1/3O2 hollow spheres with an average outer diameter of 300 nm and a wall thickness of about 50 nm are prepared by using carbon spheres as template. They demonstrate excellent electrochemical performance, including high discharge capacity and rate capability. At a current rate of 0.2C (34 mA g(-1), 0.34 mA cm(-2)), cathode materials constituted by the hollow spheres display a discharge capacity of 175.4 mAh g(-1). Even at a current rate of 10C (1700 mA g(-1), 17 mA cm(-2)), the discharge capacity also keeps at 91.5 mAh g(-1). The reasons lie in that the hollow structure has a large surface to contact with liquid electrolyte, resulting in a better electrochemical performance at high charge/discharge rate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.