Effect of increased surface area of LiMn0.475Ni0.475Al0.05O2 cathode material for Li-ion battery

•LiMn0.475Ni0.475Al0.05O2 powder is synthesized by a hydrothermal synthesis.•Capacity exhibits 137 mA h g−1 with good capacity retention and cyclability.•Increased surface area associated with the smaller particle size for easily Li+ ion mobility.

In this study, cathode material for Li-ion secondary batteries is synthesized from LiMn0.475Ni0.475Al0.05O2 powders by a hydrothermal method. The precursor has a uniform size distribution with average particle size of approximately 70–100 nm. LiMn0.475Ni0.475Al0.05O2 synthesized using the hydrothermal method exhibits a discharge capacity of 137 mA h g−1 and demonstrates good capacity retention and cyclability compared to materials synthesized by the more commonly used co-precipitation method. These improved electrochemical properties are due to the increased surface area associated with the smaller particle size and well dispersion, which permits easier mobility of Li+ ions and minimized surface energy of cathode material. Using TEM analysis, it was found that an increasing d-value also provides easier Li+ ion intercalation and deintercalation pathways.

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