Enhanced compacting density and cycling performance of Ni-riched electrode via building mono dispersed micron scaled morphology

LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 crystals with ∼4 μm particle size have been synthesized from spherical Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05(OH)2 precursors via a two-step treatment strategy. A specific surface area controllable precipitation method was introduced to synthesize Ni1-x-yCoxAly(OH)2 hydroxides with large specific surface area. Spherical hydroxides with large specific area and excess LiOH calcination technique ensure the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 crystals with mono dispersed micrometer scaled particle distribution and perfect α-NaFeO2 layered structure. Water washing process wipes off the LiOH and Li2CO3 impurities from the cathodes efficiently without structural degradation. The LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 prepared via 15% excess lithium calcination presents an improved compacting density of 3.8 g cm−3. The modified cathode material shows an initial discharge capacity of 174.5 mAh g−1 at 1C rate and 91.7% capacity retention after 100 cycles. The mono dispersed micron scaled morphology together with high structural stability endows the LNCAO material with superior compacting density and cycling capability for lithium ion batteries with high energy density.