The Impact of Zr Substitution on the Structure, Electrochemical Performance and Thermal Stability of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3−zCo1/3Zrz]O2

Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3− z Co 1/3 Zr z ]O 2 (0 ≤ z ≤ 0.1) samples were prepared from hydroxide precursors. The hydroxide precursors were heated with Li 2 CO 3 at 900°C to prepare the oxides. X-ray diffraction results suggest that single phase samples can be prepared for 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.02. Chemical analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the samples had some excess Li. Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction data show that Zr substitution for Mn does not induce substantial cation mixing in the Li layer. Electrochemical studies of single phase samples, Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3− z Co 1/3 Zr z ]O 2 (0 ≤ z ≤0.02), show a small reduction in capacity and no advantage in capacity retention as Zr is substituted for Mn. The impact of Zr substitution on the thermal stability of the Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3− z Co 1/3 Zr z ]O 2 samples was studied via accelerating rate calorimetry. The accelerating rate calorimetry results show that the substitution of Zr into the layered structure of Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3− z Co 1/3 Zr z ]O 2 does not improve the thermal stability of the samples.