Characteristics of Li2TiO3–LiCrO2 composite cathode powders prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Li2TiO3–LiCrO2 cathode powders of various compositions are prepared by spray pyrolysis. Pure Li2TiO3 powder and Li2TiO3–LiCrO2 composite cathode powder have a spherical shape, nonaggregated structure, and fine sizes even after post-treatment at 700 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. The optimum post-treatment temperature to obtain composite powders with high initial discharge capacity, high coulombic efficiency, and good cycle properties is 700 °C. The initial charge capacities increase when the LiCrO2 content of the composite increase. However, the 0.55Li2TiO3–0.45LiCrO2 composite cathode powders have the highest initial discharge capacity of 203 mAh g−1, in which the capacity retention after 30 cycles is 96%. The dQ/dV curve of the first charge curve has a distinct oxidation peak at approximately 3.9 V, which corresponds to Cr oxidation. The oxidation peak shifts to a lower voltage range at approximately 3.6 V after the first cycling because an irreversible reaction takes place in the initial charge process. The composite cathode powders with low LiCrO2 content have low initial charge/discharge capacities and good cycle properties because of the stabilizing effect of high amounts of an inactive Li2TiO3 component.

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► Spherical-shaped Li2TiO3–LiCrO2 composite powders are prepared using spray pyrolysis.
► The composite powders have a high initial discharge capacity of 203 mAh g−1.
► The composite powders have good cycle properties due to the stabilizing effect of inactive Li2TiO3.