Synthesis and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Al0.2−xTixO2 cathode materials by an ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method

A new co-precipitation route was proposed to synthesize LiNi0.8Al0.2−xTixO2 (x=0.0-0.20) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, with Ni(NO3)2, Al(NO3)3, LiOH·H2O, and TiO2 as the starting materials. Ultrasonic vibration was used during preparing the precursors, and the precursors were protected by absolute ethanol before calcination in the air. The influences of doped-Ti content, calcination temperature and time, additional Li content, and ultrasonic vibration on the structure and properties of LiNi0.8Al0.2−xTixO2 were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and charge-discharge tests, respectively. The results show that the optimal molar fraction of Ti, calcination temperature and time, and additional molar fraction of Li for LiNi0.8Al0.2−xTixO2 cathode materials are 0.1, 700°C, 20 h, and 0.05, respectively. Ti doping facilitates the formation of the α-NaFeO2 layered structure, and ultrasonic vibration improves the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Al0.2−xTixO2.