Preparation and characterization of macroporous Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries via aerogel template

Macroporous Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials with high crystallinity and hexagonal ordering are synthesized by aerogel template followed by solid state reaction. High discharge capacities of 244.0 mA h g−1 and 153.9 mA h g−1 are obtained for the Li-rich layered oxide synthesized at 800 °C at current densities of 200 mA g−1 and 2000 mA g−1 between 2.0 V and 4.8 V. Increasing the synthesis temperature to 900 °C, the macroporous Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 delivers a high discharge capacity of 220.2 mA h g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 with a capacity retention of 89.1% after 50 cycles, 129.8 mA h g−1 at a current density of 2000 mA g−1 and almost no capacity fading after 120 cycles. The diffusion coefficients of Li+ in the Li-rich layered oxide determined by galvanostatic intermittent titration technique are in the range of 5.0 × 10−18−8.0 × 10−14 cm2 s−1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the macroporous structure with good particle contact of the layered oxide can improve its rate capability and cyclic stability.