Electrochemical Performance of Layer-Structured Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ Cathode Active Materials Synthesized by Carbonate...

The layered Ni-rich NiCoMn (NCM)-based cathode active material Li[Ni_xCo_(1-x)/2Mn_(1-x)/2]O₂ (x ≥ 0.6) has the advantages of high energy density and price competitiveness over an LiCoO₂-based material. Additionally, NCM is beneficial in terms of its increasing reversible discharge capacity with the increase in Ni content; however, stable electrochemical performance has not been readily achieved because of the cation mixing that occurs during its synthesis. In this study, various layer-structured Li_1.0[Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1]O₂ materials were synthesized, and their electrochemical performances were investigated. A NiCoMnCO₃ precursor, prepared using carbonate co-precipitation with Li₂CO₃ as the lithium source and having a sintering temperature of 850 °C, sintering time of 25 h, and metal to Li molar ratio of 1.00-1.05 were found to be the optimal parameters/conditions for the preparation of Li_1.0[Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1]O₂. The material exhibited a discharge capacity of 160 mAhg^-1 and capacity recovery rate of 95.56% (from a 5.0-0.1 C-rate).