p-type LiCr0.33V0.33Mn0.33O2 semiconductor as a cathode electrode for high rate Li-ion batteries

Layered LiCr0.33V0.33Mn0.33O2 oxides have attracted attention as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. These materials are good candidates to replace LiCoO2 used in the commercially available lithium ion batteries. In this study, a systematic work has been performed to investigate the structural and electrochemical behaviors of LiCr0.33V0.33Mn0.33O2 oxide structures via sol–gel method. In order to increase the conductivity, the surfaces of the as-synthesized LiCr0.33V0.33Mn0.33O2 oxide structures were coated with Cu via electroless deposition techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed on a Rigaku DMAX 2200 diffractometer (Cu Kα radiation, λ=1.5418 Å) between 10° and 90° (2θ) by steps of 0.02° (2θ) with a constant counting time of 10 s/step. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out with a Jeol 6060 LV microscope. The electrochemical performances of the LiCr0.33V0.33Mn0.33O2 samples were measured in the 3.0–4.3 V potential range. Their discharge capacity reached 174 and 181 mA h g−1 at 1 C. This structural stability during the cycling combined with the obtained electrochemical features make these materials convenient for the lithium ion batteries applications.