LiMO2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) hexagonal sheets with (101) facets for ultrafast charging–discharging lithium ion batteries

• Layered LiMO2 hexagonal sheets exposed with (101) facets were successfully synthesized.
• The transport distance of lithium ions in hexagonal sheets is greatly shortened.
• Layered LiMO2 hexagonal sheets can work at ultra-high charge–discharge rates.

Developing energy storage equipments that can work at very high charge–discharge rate is crucial, but highly challenging for more efficient use of energy. From the perspective of chemistry, high-rate property of Li-ion batteries can only be achieved by significantly improving the kinetics of lithium ions and electrons in electrode. Here, we for the first time report on a simple method to resolve kinetics problems of ultrafast charging–discharging Li-ion batteries by fabrication of layered LiMO2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) hexagonal sheet exposing with facets {101}. The synthetic procedure of hexagonal sheets is proceeded via a simple PVP-assisted co-precipitation, which is followed by a heat treatment. All hexagonal sheets LiMnxCoyNizO2 were demonstrated to deliver a superior excellent rate capability and outstanding cycle stability at high current density of 3000 mA g−1 and under a high cutoff voltage of 4.4 V. The discharge capacity for the composition LiMn0.075Co0.775Ni0.15O2 at an ultrahigh charge–discharge rate of 10,000 mA g−1 is almost as large as that for LiMn2O4 and commercial LiFePO4 at low rate of 1C. The methodology reported here to resolve the kinetic problems of lithium ions and electrons in electrodes may have many implications that would help scientists to find more high-rate lithium-ion batteries for powering electric vehicles and other applications.

LiMO2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) hexagonal sheets exposed with facets {101} were first fabricated for ultrafast charging–discharging Li-ion batteries.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide