Li2ZrO3 coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 for high performance cathode material in lithium batteries

To improve the high-rate capacity and cyclability v.s. temperature, Li2ZrO3 modifies the surface of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LNCM). The crystal structure and electrochemical properties of the bare and coated material are studied by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), potentiostatic intermittent titration technique (PITT), and charge-discharge tests. The results of PITT exhibit the Li+-ion diffusion coefficient 7.13 × 10−9 cm2 s−1 of bare LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 increases to 7.9 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 after coating by Li2ZrO3. At the current rate of 50 C, Li2ZrO3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LZO-LNCM) delivers capacity of 104.8 mAh g−1 and maintains 89.3% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles. Carrying out under the temperature of −20 °C, LZO-LNCM keeps 73.8% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles, much higher than the value 9.9% of bare LNCM. Li2ZrO3 modification plays the important roles to enhance the high-rate capability and cyclability of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 at various working temperature.