Size tuneability of highly efficient li-rich cathode materials using an emulsion-based synthesis route

Lithium- and manganese-rich transition metal oxides exhibit excellent specific capacities, making them strong candidates for the development of the next generation of Co-free lithium-ion batteries. In this study, the synthesis of size-tunable Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ using a synthetic route based on the formation of an emulsion, which is ultra-fast, cost-effective, and easily scalable to an industrial level is presented. We demonstrate that variations in the concentrations of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and surfactant components, which lead to micelle formation within the emulsion, have a significant impact on the average particle size and size distribution of the synthesized material, and subsequently, on their electrochemical performance. Specifically, increasing the concentration of oleic acid as a surfactant results in an optimal average particle size, with discharge specific capacities exceeding 317 mAh g^-1 in the first cycle and 230 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles, demonstrating an excellent battery performance comprising state-of-the-art lithium- and manganese-rich transition metal oxide materials.