Electrochemical properties of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3−xCox]O2 as a cathode material for lithium ion battery

Layered Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3−xCox]O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/3) cathode materials are synthesized by a solvent evaporation method. Although XRD shows that Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3]O2 has no obvious impurity phase, it has poor electrochemical properties. To improve its capability, part of Al in Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3]O2 compound is replaced by Co in this study. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and charge–discharge test. The results indicate that the introduction of Co has a large influence on the morphology, structure and electrochemical performances of the samples, which become more excellent with an increase of Co content in compounds. Meanwhile, the high-temperature behavior of the samples is also investigated.

► This paper mainly studies cathode materials containing aluminum for lithium-ion batteries.
► Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3−xCox]O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/3) cathode materials with layered structure can be synthesized by a solvent evaporation method.
► The samples with higher Co content hold better layered structure and electrochemical performance.
► The introduction of Co improve the high-temperature cycling property of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Al1/3−xCox]O2.