The characteristics of Li(CoxNi1 − x)O2 cathode powders formed from the fine-sized Co3O4/NiO precursor powders

Li(CoxNi1 − x)O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) cathode powders were prepared by solid state reaction method using Co3O4/NiO precursor powders obtained by spray pyrolysis. The effect of the ratios of cobalt and nickel components on the characteristics of Co3O4/NiO precursor and Li(CoxNi1 − x)O2 cathode powders were investigated. The Co3O4/NiO precursor powders with the ratios of cobalt and nickel components as 1/0, 0.75/0.25 and 0.5/0.5 had submicron size and regular morphologies. On the other hand, the Co3O4/NiO powders with the high contents of nickel component had aggregated morphologies of submicron size primary powders. The fine-sized precursor powders formed the fine-sized LiCoO2 and Li(Co0.75Ni0.25)O2 cathode powders by solid state reaction with LiOH powders. However, the high contents of the nickel component of the Co3O4/NiO precursor powders formed the Li(CoxNi1 − x)O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) cathode powders with aggregated morphologies and large sizes. The discharge capacities of the powders increased with increasing the nickel content into the Li(CoxNi1 − x)O2 cathode powders up to 188 mAh/g.