Physical and electrochemical performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathodes coated by Sb2O3 using a sol–gel process

• We successfully prepared Sb2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathodes by a sol–gel process.
• Sb2O3 has been used as an additive to give a protection layer from HF attack.
• Electrochemical performance of 1 wt% Sb2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was superior.
• 1 wt% Sb2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathodes reveal good cyclability at high rates.

Sb2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials have been prepared using a sol–gel process. The surface-coated cathode materials have been physically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM). The electrochemical characteristics have been investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic cycler, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Moreover, the Sb2O3 coating does not affect the crystal structure of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 but instead form a thin compact layer on the surface. The 1wt% of Sb2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode coated shows stable cyclability with capacity retention of 98% after the 30 cycles, which is higher than the bare and 2 wt% Sb2O3-coated cathodes and the EIS and CV tests illustrate the suppressed charge transfer resistance and good reversibility for the optimized coating concentration on the cathode.