Novel mixed hydroxy-carbonate precursor assisted synthetic technique for LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials

•MHC method used to overcome drawbacks of solid state synthesized materials.•Least cation mixing, phase purity, good reversibility and rate capability achieved.•XRD I0 0 3/I1 0 4 factor, indicating electrochemical reactivity is maximum at 1.6984.•Li/LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cell delivered an initial discharge capacity of 175 mAh g−1.

Novel mixed hydroxy-carbonate (MHC) precursors were used to synthesis technique of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode material. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the synthesized LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials exhibited a hexagonal cell with a = 2.8535 Å and c = 14.2040 Å. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrum of MHC and LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 consistent with vibration modes of functional group. Presence of sub-micrometer particle size (200 nm) and highly crystalline morphology confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggested that oxidation state of the transition metals; Ni in +2, Mn in +4 and Co in +3 states, respectively in LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) revealed only one major redox couple at 4 V and suggested the absence of structural transitions from hexagonal to monoclinic structure. The Li vs. LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cell delivered an initial discharge capacity of 175 mAh g−1 in the voltage range 2.5–4.6 V @ 0.1 C.

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