The effects of sintering time on the structure and electrochemical properties of Li(Ni0.8Co0.2)O2

We present the findings of a new study on the effects of sintering time on the structure and electrochemical properties of layered Li(Ni0.8Co0.2)O2. For this study, we have examined samples prepared with sintering times of 3, 24, 48 and 96 h. The structure was initially examined by powder X-ray diffraction and then more precisely by time of flight powder neutron diffraction, with structural analysis by the Rietveld method being performed. The structural analysis indicated differences in the Li 3a and Ni/Co 3b site occupancies, which appear to be related to the sintering times.