Effect of Composition on the Structural and Electrochemical Properties of (1-x-y)Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2-xLiFeO2-yLiNiO2 Solid Solution Cathode Materials

Uniform solid solution of (1-x-y)Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O-2-xLiFeO(2)-yLiNiO(2) (x+y <= 0.5) were prepared by citric acid assisted sol-gel process, and the effects of composition on the structural and electrochemical properties of as-prepared samples were investigated. The results indicate that all samples prepared at 650 degrees C similar to 800 degrees C show pure hexagonal phase. The composition has noticeable effects on structural properties such as interplaner spacing d(003), crystal particle size, crystallinity and 2D cation-ordering, thus affect electrochemical performance. Obvious cooperative effects are observed for the samples with suitable amount of composited LiNiO2 and LiFeO2 (x+y approximate to 0.3 similar to 0.4). In view of capacity, cycling performance and cost, the samples with x+y approximate to 0.3 similar to 0.4 and x/y=1.6 similar to 3.0 are considered to be more promising new cobalt-free cathode materials with high capacity of more than 240 mAhg(-1).