Electrochemical characteristics of LiNi0.5Co0.5O2 synthesized at 800 °C from the different combinations of carbonates,oxides, and hydroxides

LiNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ cathode materials were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method at 800 °C using Li₂CO₃, LiOH·H₂O; NiO, NiCO₃; CoCO₃, or Co₃O₄ as the sources of Li, Ni, and Co, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the synthesized samples were then investigated. The structure of the synthesized LiNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ was analyzed, and the microstructures of the samples were observed. The curves of voltage vs. x in Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ for first charge–discharge and intercalated and deintercalated Li quantity Δx were studied. Destruction of unstable 3b sites and phase transitions were discussed from the first and second charge–discharge curves of voltage vs. x in Li_xNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂. The LiNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ sample synthesized from Li₂CO₃, NiCO₃ and Co₃O₄ has the largest first discharge capacity (142 mAh/g). The LiNi_0.5Co_0.5O₂ sample synthesized from Li₂CO₃, NiO and Co₃O₄ has a relatively large first discharge capacity (141 mAh/g) and the smallest capacity deterioration rate (4.6 mAh/g/cycle).