Synthesis and electrochemical performance of high-capacity 0.34Li(2)MnO(3)center dot 0.66LiMn(0.63)Ni(0.24)Co(0.13)O(2) cathode materials using a Couette-Taylor reactor

The 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 cathode material for the Li-ion battery is synthesized by co-precipitation using a Couette?Taylor reactor. Particle size analysis (PSA) and a field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the obtained precursor and cathode material exhibit a narrow particle size distribution and spherical shape. The structure and composition of the 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The first and second discharge capacities of 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 are measured to be 311 and 307 mA h g?1, respectively. The material also has an excellent rate capability (250 and 180 mA h g?1 at 1 C and 5 C, respectively). In the rate capability test at 60 °C, 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 has a higher capacity of over 210 mA h g?1 in the range 0.1?10 C. In the cyclic performance test, the capacity retention at high temperature is over 85% after 50 cycles, which is similar to that at room temperature. The 0.34Li2MnO3·0.66LiMn0.63Ni0.24Co0.13O2 is therefore a high-capacity material with potential for use as an electrode in Li-ion batteries.This research was supported by a grant from the Energy Technology R&D Program of the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy, Korea (No. 2008-11-0055)