High rate and thermally stable Mn-rich concentration-gradient layered oxide microsphere cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Monodispersed Mn-rich gradient LiNi0.2Co0.3Mn0.5O2 porous microsphere layered cathodes are designed and successfully developed via judicious control of the solubility difference of different carbonate precursors within a weak acidic reaction solution containing ammonium ions. The as-prepared cathodes exhibit excellent cyclic stability and sustain respectable rate capabilities. At 0.5C and 5C, the initial discharge capacities reach 136 and 89 mA h g−1 while the capacity retention is 95.5% and 76.1% after 100 cycles, respectively.239