Industrialization of tailoring spherical cathode material towards high-capacity, cycling-stable and superior low temperature performance for lithium-ion batteries

Three different types of spherical cathodes (Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O-2) were synthesized via hydroxide co-precipitation method coupled with high temperature lithiation process. The particle size, nanostructure, specific surface area and pore distributions can be controlled as expected. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the as-obtained cathode materials had a typical hexagonal alpha-NaFeO2 layered structure with a space group R (3) over bar m. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that Li [Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O-2 with 3 mu m-size in diameter exhibited higher initial coulombic efficiency (94.9%), rate capacity (156 mA h g(-1) at 900 mA g(-1)), and low-temperature property (157 mA h g(-1) at 180 mA g(-1), 0 degrees C ) in comparison with the larger one (12 mu m). Most impressively, an ultra-stable capacity of 156 mA h g(-1) can be retained at 180 mA g-(1) even after 300 cycles at 0 degrees C. As is known, Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O-2 with 3 mu m-size has the best result among the reported Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O-2-based cathode materials. The excellent electrochemical performance of the smaller size cathode results from the advantageous hierarchical nanorods architecture, porous characteristics, and reduced ions/electrons transport path.