Improvement of electrochemical performance for Li-rich spherical Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x modified by Al2O3

Abstract

The Li-rich Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x microspheres are firstly prepared and subsequently transferred into the Al2O3-coated Li-rich Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x microspheres by a simple deposition method. The as-prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and charge/discharge tests. The results reveal that the Al2O3-coated Li-rich Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x sample has a typical α-NaFeO2 layered structure with the existence of Li2MnO3-type integrated component, and the Al2O3 layer is uniformly coated on the surface of the spherical Li-rich Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x particles with a thickness of about 4 nm. Importantly, the Al2O3-coated Li-rich sample exhibits obviously improved electrochemical performance compared with the pristine one, especially the 2 wt.% Al2O3-coated sample shows the best electrochemical properties, which delivers an initial discharge capacity of 228 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.1 C in the voltage of 2.0–4.6 V, and the first coulombic efficiency is up to 90 %. Furthermore, the 2 wt.% Al2O3-coated sample represents excellent cycling stability with capacity retention of 90.9 % at 0.33 C after 100 cycles, much higher than that of the pristine one (62.2 %). Particularly, herein, the typical inferior rate capability of Li-rich layered cathode is apparently improved, and the 2 wt.% Al2O3-coated sample also shows a high rate capability, which can deliver a capacity of 101 mAh g−1 even at 10 C. Besides, the thin Al2O3 layer can reduce the charge transfer resistance and stabilize the surface structure of active material during cycling, which is responsible for the improvement of electrochemical performance of the Li-rich Li1.3[Ni0.35Mn0.65]O2+x.