Preparation of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 by spherical Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3OOH at a low temperature

Spherical Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 with a layered structure has been successfully prepared using the spherical precursor Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3OOH at temperature of 600 °C. This synthesis temperature is remarkably lower than those of the spherical Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 powders synthesized using Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3(OH)2 or Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3CO3. The compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis shows that the Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3OOH powder has a P3 structure and the Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3(OH)2 powder has a T1 structure. Charge and discharge tests show that the Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathode prepared at 600 °C for 24 h has an initial discharge capacity as high as 148 mAh g−1. The synthesized powder shows a reversible capacity of 142 mAh g−1 a specific current of 0.2C rate in the range of 3.0 V to 4.3 V up to 50 cycles with no noticeable capacity-fading.