Electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Co0.2−xAlxO2 (0≤x≤0.1) cathode particles prepared by spray pyrolysis from the spray solutions with and without organic additives

Abstract

Fine-sized LiNi0.8Co0.2−xAlxO2 (0≤x≤0.1) cathode particles were prepared by spray pyrolysis from the spray solutions with and without organic additives. Citric acid, ethylene glycol, and Drying Control Chemical Additive (DCCA) were used as organic additives and improved the morphologies and electrochemical properties of the cathode particles. The LiNi0.8Co0.2−xAlxO2 (0≤x≤0.1) cathode particles obtained from the spray solutions with organic additives were of micro size and had slightly aggregated morphologies. The initial discharge capacities of the LiNi0.8Co0.2−xAlxO2 (0≤x≤0.1) cathode particles obtained from the spray solutions without organic additive changed from 169 mAhg−1 to 190 mAhg−1 when the x changed from 0 to 0.1. However, the initial discharge capacities of the cathode particles obtained from the spray solutions with organic additives changed from 196 mAhg−1 to 218 mAhg−1. The initial discharge capacity of the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathode particles obtained from the spray solution with organic additives was maintained after the 20th cycle at a current density of 0.1 C.