Synthesis optimization of Li1 + x[Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]O2 with different spherical sizes via co-precipitation

Li1 + x[Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]O2 spherical cathode materials with different sizes (about 2 and 5 μm) were fabricated by calcining uniform spherical metal carbonate, [Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]CO3 with lithium hydroxide at high temperature. The precursor of spherical metal carbonate, [Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]CO3, was obtained via co-precipitation method at room temperature, which was significantly dependent on synthetic conditions, such as the reaction temperature, the concentration of NH4HCO3, and stirring speed, etc. The optimized condition resulted in [Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]CO3, of which the particle size distribution was uniform and the particle shape was spherical. The final products, Li1 + x[Mn0.45Co0.40Ni0.15]O2, had a well-ordered layered structure and uniform homogeneity. Raman spectroscopy analysis showed the Raman-active species Eg and A1g modes were observed at 488, 473 cm− 1 and 597, 590 cm− 1, respectively, for the obtained spherical cathode materials.