Structural modification of Li[Li0.27Co0.20Mn0.53]O2 by lithium extraction and its electrochemical property as the positive electrode for Li-ion batteries

In our previous report, we have synthesized Li2MnO3–LiCoO2 solid solutions and have investigated electrochemical properties [J.-M. Kim, T. Sho, N. Kumagai, Electrochem. Commun. 9 (2007) 103]. These materials have showed a long charge plateau at above 4.5 V during the first charge, which disappears with the subsequent cycles. This phenomenon is usually observed in Li2MnO3 and Li2MnO3–LiMeO2 system (Me = Ni1/2Mn1/2 [Z. Lu, D.D. MacNeil, J.R. Dahn, Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 4 (2001) 191], Co [K. Numata, C. Sakaki, S. Yamanaka, Solid State Ionics 117 (1999) 257; Y.J. Park, Y.-S. Hong, X. Wu, M.K. Kim, K.S. Ryu, S.H. Chang, J. Electrochem. Soc. 151 (2004) A720], Fe [M. Tabuchi, A. Nakashima, H. Shigemura, K. Ado, H. Kobayashi, H. Sakaebe, H. Kageyama, T. Nakamura, M. Kohzaki, A. Hirano, R. Kanno, J. Electrochem. Soc. 149 (2002) A509], or Cr [B. Ammundsen, J. Paulsen, Adv. Mater. 13 (2001) 943]). In this study, we investigate the relationship between the first lithium extraction process and the electrochemical property of the synthesized Li[Li0.27Co0.2Mn0.53]O2 material. The crystal structure and electrochemical performance of the synthesized Li[Li0.27Co0.20Mn0.53]O2 are modified by the Li+ extraction.