Synthesis and electrochemical performance of high-capacity 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 cathode materials using a Couette–Taylor reactor

Highlights: • The cathode material synthesized by co-precipitation using a Couette–Taylor reactor. • The first and second discharge capacities were measured to be 311 and 307 mA h g{sup −1}. • The material has an excellent rate capability. - Abstract: The 0.34Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.66LiMn{sub 0.63}Ni{sub 0.24}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} cathode material for the Li-ion battery is synthesized by co-precipitation using a Couette–Taylor reactor. Particle size analysis (PSA) and a field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the obtained precursor and cathode material exhibit a narrow particle size distribution and spherical shape. The structure and composition of the 0.34Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.66LiMn{sub 0.63}Ni{sub 0.24}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The first and second discharge capacities of 0.34Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.66LiMn{sub 0.63}Ni{sub 0.24}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} are measured to be 311 and 307 mA h g{sup −1}, respectively. The material also has an excellent rate capability (250 and 180 mA h g{sup −1} at 1 C and 5 C, respectively). In the rate capability test at 60 °C, 0.34Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.66LiMn{sub 0.63}Ni{sub 0.24}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} has a higher capacity of over 210 mA h g{sup −1} in the range 0.1–10 C. In the cyclicmore » performance test, the capacity retention at high temperature is over 85% after 50 cycles, which is similar to that at room temperature. The 0.34Li{sub 2}MnO{sub 3}·0.66LiMn{sub 0.63}Ni{sub 0.24}Co{sub 0.13}O{sub 2} is therefore a high-capacity material with potential for use as an electrode in Li-ion batteries.« less