A modified ZrO2-coating process to improve electrochemical performance of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2

A modified Zr-coating process was introduced to improve the electrochemical performance of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. The ZrO₂-coating was carried out on an intermediate, (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)(OH)₂, rather than on Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. After a heat treatment process, one part of the Zr covered the surface of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ in the form of a Li₂ZrO₃ coating layer, and the other part diffused into the crystal lattice of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. A decreasing gradient distribution in the concentration of Zr was detected from the surface to the bulk of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Electrochemical tests indicated that the 1% (Zr/Ni + Co + Mn) ZrO₂-modified Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ prepared by this process showed better cyclability and rate capability than bare Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. The result can be ascribed to the special effect of Zr in ZrO₂-modified Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. The surface coating layer of Li₂ZrO₃ improved the cycle performance, while the incorporation of Zr in the crystal lattice of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ modified the rate capability by increasing the lattice parameters. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) results showed that the increase of charge transfer resistance during cycling was suppressed significantly by ZrO₂ modification.     

Improvement of structural and electrochemical properties of AlF3-coated Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 cathode materials on high voltage region

The particle surface of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ was modified by AlF₃ as a new coating material to improve the electrochemical properties in the high cutoff voltage of 4.5 V. The AlF₃-coated Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ showed no difference in the bulk structure compared with the pristine one and the uniform AlF₃ coating layers whose thickness is of about 10 nm covered Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ particles, as confirmed by a transmission electron microscopy. The AlF₃ coating on Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ particles improved the overall electrochemical properties such as the cyclability, rate capability and thermal stability compared with those of the pristine Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. Such enhancements were attributed to the presence of the stable AlF₃ layer which acts as the interfacial stabilizer on the surface of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂.     

A modified Al2O3 coating process to enhance the electrochemical performance of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 and its comparison with traditional Al2O3 coating process

Al₂O₃-modified Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ is synthesized by a modified Al₂O₃ coating process. The Al₂O₃ coating is carried out on an intermediate, (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)(OH)₂, rather than on Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂. As a comparison, Al₂O₃-coated Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ also is prepared by traditional Al₂O₃ coating process. The effects of Al₂O₃ coating and Al₂O₃ modification on structure and electrochemical performance are investigated and compared. Electrochemical tests indicate that cycle performance and rate capability of Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ are enhanced by Al₂O₃ modification without capacity loss. Al₂O₃ coating can also enhance the cycle performance but cause evident capacity loss and decline of rate capability. The effect of Al₂O₃ coating and Al₂O₃ modification on kinetics of lithium-ion transfer reaction at the interface of electrode/electrolyte is investigated via electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The result support that the Al₂O₃ modification increase Li⁺ diffused coefficient and decrease the activation energy of Li⁺ transfer reaction but the traditional Al₂O₃ coating lead to depression of Li⁺ diffused coefficient and increase of activation energy.     

Cycle life improvement of ZrO2-coated spherical LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A modified synthesis process was developed based on co-precipitation method followed by spray drying process. In this process, a spherical shaped (Co_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3)(OH)₂ precursor was synthesized by co-precipitation and pre-heated at 500 °C to form a high structural stability spinel (CoNiMn)O₄ to maintain its shape for further processing. The spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was then prepared by spray drying process using spherical spinel (CoNiMn)O₄. LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ powders were then modified by coating their surface with a uniform and nano-sized layer of ZrO₂. The ZrO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ material exhibited an improved rate capability and cycling stability under a high cut-off voltage of 4.5 V. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that the material had a well-ordered layered structure and Zr was not doped into the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed that the coated material has stable cell resistance regardless of cycle number. The interrupt charging/discharging test indicated that the ZrO₂ coating can suppress the polarization effects during the charging and discharging process. From these results, it is believed that the improved cycling performance of ZrO₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ is attributed to the ability of ZrO₂ layer in preventing direct contact of the active material with the electrolyte resulting in a decrease of electrolyte decomposition reactions.     

Morphology and electrochemical performance of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 cathode material by a slurry spray drying method

The spherical Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ powders with appropriate porosity, small particle size and good particle size distribution were successfully prepared by a slurry spray drying method. The Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, ICP, BET, EIS and galvanostatic charge/discharge testing. The material calcined at 950 °C had the best electrochemical performance. Its initial discharge capacity was 188.9 mAh g⁻¹ at the discharge rate of 0.2 C (32 mA g⁻¹), and retained 91.4% of the capacity on going from 0.2 to 4 C rate. From the EIS result, it was found that the favorable electrochemical performance of the Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ cathode material was primarily attributed to the particular morphology formed by the spray drying process which was favorable for the charge transfer during the deintercalation and intercalation cycling.     

Structural changes and thermal stability of charged LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for Li-ion batteries studied by time-resolved XRD

Structural changes and their relationship with thermal stability of charged Li_0.33Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode samples have been studied using time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TR-XRD) in a wide temperature from 25 to 600 °C with and without the presence of electrolyte in comparison with Li_0.27Ni_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ cathodes. Unique phase transition behavior during heating is found for the Li_0.33Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode samples: when no electrolyte is present, the initial layered structure changes first to a LiM₂O₄-type spinel, and then to a M₃O₄-type spinel and remains in this structure up to 600 °C. For the Li_0.33Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode sample with electrolyte, additional phase transition from the M₃O₄-type spinel to the MO-type rock salt phase takes place from about 400 to 441 °C together with the formation of metallic phase at about 460 °C. The major difference between this type of phase transitions and that for Li_0.27Ni_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ in the presence of electrolyte is the delayed phase transition from the spinel-type to the rock salt-type phase by stretching the temperature range of spinel phases from about 20 to 140 °C. This unique behavior is considered as the key factor of the better thermal stability of the Li_1−xNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials.     

Physical and electrochemical properties of spherical Li1+x(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)1−xO2 cathode materials

A (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor with an uniform, spherical morphology was prepared by coprecipitation using a continuously stirred tank reactor method. The as-prepared spherical (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor served to produce dense, spherical Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) cathode materials. These Li-rich cathodes were also prepared by a second synthesis route that involved the use of an M₃O₄ (M = Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3) spinel compound, itself obtained from the carbonate (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor. In both cases, the final Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ products were highly uniform, having a narrow particle size distribution (10-μm average particle size) as a result of the homogeneity and spherical morphology of the starting mixed-metal carbonate precursor. The rate capability of the Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ electrode materials, which was significantly improved with increased lithium content, was found to be better in the case of the denser materials made from the spinel precursor compound. This result suggests that spherical morphology, high density, and increased lithium content were key factors in enabling the high rate capabilities, and hence the power performances, of the Li-rich Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ cathodes.     

Structural and transport properties of layered Li1+x(Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3)1−xO2 oxides prepared by a soft chemistry method

In this work structural and transport properties of layered Li_1+x(Mn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3)_1−xO₂ oxides (x = 0; 0.03; 0.06) prepared by a “soft chemistry” method are presented. The excessive lithium was found to significantly improve transport properties of the materials, a corresponding linear decrease of the unit cell parameters was observed. The electrical conductivity of Li_1.03(Mn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3)_0.97O₂ composition was high enough to use this material in a form of a pellet, without any additives, in lithium batteries and characterize structural and transport properties of deintercalated Li_1.03−y(Mn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3)_0.97O₂ compounds. For deintercalated samples a linear increase of the lattice parameter c together with a linear decrease of the parameter a with the increasing deintercalation degree occurred, but only up to 0.4-0.5 mol of extracted lithium. Further deintercalation showed a reversal of the trend. Electrical conductivity measurements performed of Li_1.03−y(Mn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3)_0.97O₂ samples (y = 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.6) showed an ongoing improvement, almost two orders of magnitude, in relation to the starting composition. Additionally, OCV measurements, discharge characteristics and lithium diffusion coefficient measurements were performed for Li/Li⁺/Li_1.03−y(Mn_1/3Co_1/3Ni_1/3)_0.97O₂ cells.     

Structural and electrochemical characterization of xLi[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2·(1 − x)Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

A series of cathode materials with molecular notation of xLi[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂·(1 − x)Li[Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3]O₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) were synthesized by combination of co-precipitation and solid state calcination method. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques, and their electrochemical performances were investigated. The results showed that sample 0.6Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂·0.4Li[Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3]O₂ (x = 0.6) delivers the highest capacity and shows good capacity-retention, which delivers a capacity ∼250 mAh g⁻¹ between 2.0 and 4.8 V at 18 mA g⁻¹.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of lithium non-stoichiometric Li1+x(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2+δ prepared by a spray drying method

Lithium non-stoichiometric Li[Li_x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−x]O₂ materials (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.17) were synthesized using a spray drying method. The electrochemical properties and structural stabilities of the synthesized materials were investigated. The synthesized materials exhibited a hexagonal structure in all the x-value and the lattice parameters of the materials were gradually decreased with increasing x-value due to an increasing amount of Ni³⁺ ions for charge compensation. The capacity retention ability and rate capability of the stoichiometric Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ material were improved by increasing x-value, the so-called overlithiation. We found that the overlithiated materials could keep more structural integrity than the stoichiometric one during electrochemical cyclings, which could be one of reasons for a better electrochemical properties of the overlithiated materials.     

Study of the surface modification of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for lithium ion battery

The surface of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (LNMCO) particles has been studied for material synthesized at 900 °C by a two-step process from a mixture of LiOH·H₂O and metal oxalate [(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)C₂O₄] obtained by co-precipitation. Samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. We have investigated the effect of the heat treatment of particles at 600 °C with organic substances such as sucrose and starch. HRTEM images and RS spectra indicate that the surface of particles has been modified. The annealing does not lead to any carbon coating but it leads to the crystallization of the thin disordered layer on the surface of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂. The beneficial effect has been tested on the electrochemical properties of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials. The capacity at 10C-rate is enhanced by 20% for post-treated LNMCO particles at 600 °C for half-an-hour.     

Minimization of the cation mixing in Li1+x(NMC)1−xO2 as cathode material

Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3)_1−xO₂ layered materials were synthesized by the co-precipitation method with different Li/M molar ratios (M = Ni + Mn + Co). Elemental titration evaluated by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP), structural properties studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld analysis of XRD data, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and magnetic measurements carried out by superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) showed the well-defined α-NaFeO₂ structure with cationic distribution close to the nominal formula. The Li/Ni cation mixing on the 3b Wyckoff site of the interlayer space was consistent with the structural model [Li_1−yNi_y]_3b[Li_x+yNi_{(1−x)/3−y}Mn_(1−x)/3Co_(1−x)/3]_3aO₂ (x = 0.02, 0.04) and was very small. Both Rietveld refinements and magnetic measurements revealed a concentration of Ni²⁺-3b ions lower than 2%; moreover, for the optimized sample synthesized at Li/M = 1.10, only 1.43% of nickel ions were located into the Li sublattice. Electrochemical properties were investigated by galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling. Data obtained with Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3)_1−xO₂ reflected the high degree of sample optimization. An initial discharge capacity of 150 mAh g⁻¹ was delivered at 1 C-rate in the cut-off voltage of 3.0-4.3 V. More than 95% of its initial capacity was retained after 30 cycles at 1 C-rate. Finally, it is demonstrated that a cation mixing below 2% is considered as the threshold for which the electrochemical performance does not change for Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3)_1−xO₂.     

Synthesis and characterization of submicron-sized LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 by a simple self-propagating solid-state metathesis method

Submicron-sized LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials were synthesized using a simple self-propagating solid-state metathesis method with the help of ball milling and the following calcination. A mixture of Li(ac)·2H₂O, Ni(ac)₂·4H₂O, Co(ac)₂·4H₂O, Mn(ac)₂·4H₂O (ac = acetate) and excess H₂C₂O₄·2H₂O was used as starting material without any solvent. XRD analyses indicate that the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials were formed with typical hexagonal structure. The FESEM images show that the primary particle size of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials gradually increases from about 100 nm at 700 °C to 200–500 nm at 950 °C with increasing calcination temperature. Among the synthesized materials, the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ material calcined at 900 °C exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. The steady discharge capacities of the material cycled at 1 C (160 mA g⁻¹) rate are at about 140 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles in the voltage range 3–4.5 V (versus Li⁺/Li) and the capacity retention is about 87% at the 350th cycle.     

AlF3-coated LiCoO2 and Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 blend composite cathode for lithium ion batteries

Surface modifications of electrode materials can improve the electrochemical and thermal properties of cathodes for use in lithium batteries. In this study, AlF₃-coated LiCoO₂ and AlF₃-coated Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ cathode materials are blended, as both have the same crystal structure and exhibit similar electrochemical properties. The composite electrodes exhibit high discharge capacities of 180-188 mAh g⁻¹ in a voltage range of 3.0-4.5 V at room temperature. The capacity retention of the composite electrode is greater than 95% of the initial capacity after 50 cycles. The thermal stability of these composite electrodes is greatly improved because of the superior thermal stability of AlF₃-coated Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. The blended AlF₃-coated LiCoO₂ and AlF₃-coated Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ electrode shows two exothermic peaks, one at 227 °C from AlF₃-coated LiCoO₂ and another at 277 °C from AlF₃-coated Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂, accompanied by significantly reduced exothermic heat generation.     

Electrochemical performance of SrF2-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

SrF₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode materials with improved cycling performance over 2.5–4.6 V were investigated. The structural and electrochemical properties of the materials were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), charge–discharge tests and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The results showed that the crystalline SrF₂ with about 10–50 nm particle size is uniformly coated on the surface of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles. As the coating amount increased from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%, the initial capacity and rate capability of the coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ decreased slightly owing to the increase of the charge-transfer resistance; however, the cycling stability was improved by suppressing the increase of the resistance during cycling. 4.0 mol% SrF₂-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ showed remarkable decrease of the initial capacity. 2.0 mol% coated sample exhibited the best electrochemical performance. It presented an initial discharge capacity of 165.7 mAh g⁻¹, and a capacity retention of 86.9% after 50 cycles at 4.6 V cut-off cycling.     

An amorphous LiCo1/3Mn1/3Ni1/3O2 thin film deposited on NASICON-type electrolyte for all-solid-state Li-ion batteries

Amorphous LiCo_1/3Mn_1/3Ni_1/3O₂ thin films were deposited on the NASICON-type Li-ion conducting glass ceramics, Li_1+x+yAl_xTi_2−xSi_yP_3−yO₁₂ (LATSP), by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering below 130 °C. The amorphous films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Li/PEO₁₈-Li(CF₃SO₂)₂N/LATSP/LiCo_1/3Mn_1/3Ni_1/3O₂/Au all-solid-state cells were fabricated to investigate the electrochemical performance of the amorphous films. It was found that the low-temperature deposited amorphous cathode film shows a high discharge voltage and a high discharge capacity of around 130 mAh g⁻¹.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1−x/3Zrx/3]O2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Layer-structured Zr doped Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1−x/3Zr_x/3]O₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) were synthesized via slurry spray drying method. The powders were characterized by XRD, SEM and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. The products remained single-phase within the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.03. The charge and discharge cycling of the cells showed that Zr doping enhanced cycle life compared to the bare one, while did not cause the reduction of the discharge capacity of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. The unchanged peak shape in the differential capacity versus voltage curve suggested that the Zr had the effect to stabilize the structure during cycling. More interestingly, the rate capability was greatly improved. The sample with x = 0.01 presented a capacity of 160.2 mAh g⁻¹ at current density of 640 mA g⁻¹(4 C), corresponding to 92.4% of its capacity at 32 mA g⁻¹(0.2 C). The favorable performance of the doped sample could be attributed to its increased lattice parameter.     

Effect of TiO2-coating on the electrochemical performances of LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2

A novel method to improve the cycling performance of LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ in lithium-ion batteries by TiO₂-coating with an in situ dipping and hydrolyzing method was presented in this work. The microstructure of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM, and their electrochemical performances were evaluated by EIS and galvonostatic charge-discharge test. SEM and TEM images show that the TiO₂ are pasted on the surface of the LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ with nano-size. The XRD patterns indicate that the crystal structure of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ shows no obvious change compares with the bare material. The TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ possesses improved cycle performance and rate capability. The capacity retention of 1.0 wt.% TiO₂-coated material is more than 99.0% after 12 cycles at 3.0 C while that of the bare sample is only 86.6%. The capacity of coated material at 5.0 C remains 66.0% of the capacity at 0.2 C, while that of the bare LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ is only 31.5%.     

Effect of Ag additive on the performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for lithium ion battery

The LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂/Ag composite used for cathode material of lithium ion battery was prepared by thermal decomposition of AgNO₃ added to commercial LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ powders to improve the electrochemical performance of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂. Structure and morphology analysis showed that Ag particles were dispersed on the surface of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ instead of entering the crystal structure. The results of charge–discharge tests showed that Ag additive could improve the cycle performance and high-rate discharge capability of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂. Extended analysis indicated that Ag was unstable in the commercial electrolyte at high potential. The improved electrochemical performance caused by Ag additive was associated not only with the enhancement of electrical conductivity of the material and the lower polarization of the cell, but also with the increased “c” parameter of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ after repeated charge/discharge cycles and the compact and protective SEI layer formed on the surface of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂.     

Characterization of LiCoO2 coated Li1.05Ni0.35Co0.25Mn0.4O2 cathode material for lithium secondary cells

In this study, nano-crystalline LiCoO₂ was coated onto the surface of Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂ powders via sol–gel method. The influence of the coating on the electrochemical behavior of Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂ is discussed. The surface morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nano-crystallized LiCoO₂ was clearly observed on the surfaces of Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂. The phase and structural changes of the cathode materials before and after coating were revealed by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). It was found that LiCoO₂ coated Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂ cathode material exhibited distinct surface morphology and lattice constants. Cyclic voltammetry (2.8–4.6 V versus Li/Li⁺) shows that the characteristic voltage transitions on cycling exhibited by the uncoated material are suppressed by the 7 wt.% LiCoO₂ coating. This behavior implies that LiCoO₂ inhibits structural change of Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂ or reaction with the electrolyte on cycling. In addition, the LiCoO₂ coating on Li_1.05Ni_0.35Co_0.25Mn_0.4O₂ significantly improves the rate capability over the range 0.1–4.0C. Comparative data for the coated and uncoated materials are presented and discussed.