Effects of Self-Catalyzed Polyaniline Coating on the Electrochemical Performance of 0.4Li(2)MnO(3) center dot 0.6LiMn(0.33)Ni(0.33)Co(0.33)O(2) Electrodes

Abstract

Self-catalyzed polyaniline (PANI)-coating on the surface of 0.4Li(2)MnO(3) center dot 0.6LiMn(0.33)Ni(0.33)Co(0.33)O(2) powders was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization with the aid of the Mn4+ ions of the pristine material as oxidants. Discharge capacity of the PANI-coated electrode was 98 mAhg(-1) at 2.4 C-rate, while the uncoated sample showed 68 mAhg(-1). Discharge capacity was retained at 94% by the 40th cycle, while that of uncoated electrode was retained at 85%. The improvement of electrochemical performances is attributed to the PANI-coating that acts as a protective layer and suppresses the formation of solid electrolyte interphase layer by retarding the rate of electrolyte decomposition. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved