Design of a 3D-Porous Structure with Residual Carbon for High-Performance Ni-Rich Cathode Materials

Recently, LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ has drawn much attention because of its high energy density. Here, 3D-porous LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ and the one with residual carbon have been synthesized using a resorcinol-formaldehyde-assisted sol-gel approach. Scanning electron microscopy images verify that the synthesized LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ possesses a 3D-porous morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and transmission electron microscopy-mapping images indicate the existence of residual carbon in the secondary particle of 3D-porous LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂. Furthermore, 3D-porous LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ with residual carbon exhibits outstanding electrochemical properties. At a current density of 1900 mA g^-1, the 3D-porous LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ with residual carbon can still deliver a reversible capacity of 113 . Moreover, after 150 cycles at 0.2 C, the capacity retention of 3D-porous LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ with residual carbon reaches to 95%. The excellent electrochemical properties can be ascribed to the unique 3D-porous morphology and residual carbon in the secondary particle.