Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode material for Li-ion batteries

The layered material of Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 with α-NaFeO2 was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 had the same layered structure as the undoped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images exhibited that the particle size of Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 was smaller than that of the undoped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2. The Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 samples were investigated on the Li extraction/insertion performances through charge/discharge, cyclic voltammogram (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The optimal doping content of Ce was x=0.02 in the LiNi1/3–xMn1/3Co1/3CexO2 samples to achieve high discharge capacity and good cyclic stability. The electrode reaction reversibility was enhanced, and the charge transfer resistance was decreased through Ce-doping. The improved electrochemical performances of the Ce-doped LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials were attributed to the addition of Ce4+ ion by stabilizing the layer structure.