Enhanced electrochemical performance of surface-treated Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

In order to enhance the electrochemical performance of the Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 cathode material synthesized using co-precipitation, its surface was coated with Al2O3 by using atomic layer deposition. The crystal structure of the bare and coated material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The material showed a layered structure and no impurity phase. No change in the crystal structure was observed after surface coating. The synthesized particles were spherical, with an approximate size of 5-20 μm. The prepared Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 showed a fairly high discharge capacity of 241.8 mAh/g. After being coated with 3 nm of Al2O3, the electrochemical properties were enhanced, together with the charge/discharge cycling properties at room and elevated temperatures.