Design of a 3D-Porous Structure with Residual Carbon for High-Performance Ni-Rich Cathode Materials

Recently, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 has drawn much attention because of its high energy density. Here, 3D-porous LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 and the one with residual carbon have been synthesized using a resorcinol–formaldehyde-assisted sol–gel approach. Scanning electron microscopy images verify that the synthesized LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 possesses a 3D-porous morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and transmission electron microscopy-mapping images indicate the existence of residual carbon in the secondary particle of 3D-porous LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2. Furthermore, 3D-porous LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 with residual carbon exhibits outstanding electrochemical properties. At a current density of 1900 mA g–1, the 3D-porous LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 with residual carbon can still deliver a reversible capacity of 113 . Moreover, after 150 cycles at 0.2 C, the capacity retention of 3D-porous LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 with residual carbon reaches to 95%. The excellent electrochemical properties can be ascribed to the unique 3D-porous morphology and residual carbon in the secondary particle.