Structural and electrochemical properties of LiCoO2 and LiAlyCo1−yO2 (y=0.1 and 0.2) oxides: A comparative study of electrodes prepared by the citrate precursor route

Abstract

We present the characterization and electrode behavior of LiCoO2 and Al-doped LiAlyCo1−yO2 (y=0.1 and 0.2) oxides prepared by wet-chemical method from the citrate precursor route. We study the phase evolution as a function of the aluminum substitution and the modification on the intercalation and deintercalation of Li ions. Characterization methods include XRD, SEM, and FTIR. X-ray diffraction patterns show that samples belong to the LiCoO2-LiAlO2 solid solution and have the layered α-NaFeO2 structure. FT-infrared vibrational spectroscopy indicates the slight modification in the local structure related to the short-range environment of oxygen coordination around the cations in oxide lattices. The frequencies and relative intensities of the bands are sensitive to the covalency of the (Al, Co)O2 slabs. The overall electrochemical capacity of the LiAlyCo1−yO2 oxides have been reduced due to the sp metal substitution, however, a more stable charge-discharge cycling performances have been observed when electrodes are charged to 4.3 V as compared to the performances of the native oxide. Differences and similarities between LiCoO2 and Al-substituted oxides are discussed therefrom.