High capacity Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials synthesized using mesocrystal precursors for lithium-ion batteries

Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 is synthesized with spherical mesocrystal, which is prepared by modified hydrothermal method with urea as precipitator. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge test are conducted to evaluate the physical and electrochemical properties of the spherical mesocrystal and resulting materials. Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 synthesized with spherical mesocrystal at 190 °C delivers a high discharge capacity of 339 mA h g−1 at 20 mA g−1 and maintains a discharge capacity of 201 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1. Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 also exhibites excellent rate capability and cycle performance after 50 cycles, with a capacity of 150 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1. All tests prove that the lithium-rich materials synthesized with spherical mesocrystal have excellent electrochemical properties.