Studies on the low-heating solid-state reaction method to synthesize LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials

The low-heating solid-state method has been adopted to synthesize LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ materials. The final product, with homogeneous phase and smooth crystals indicated by XRD and SEM results, can be synthesized at 700 °C, much lower than the synthesis temperatures of co-precipitation method. The reaction process and microstructure of precursor has been investigated by IR spectrum. By comparative studies with the mixture of CH₃COOLi and (Ni, Co, Mn)(C₂O₄), it is testified that the precursor is homogeneous, rather than a mixture. The decomposition process and the reaction energy have been studied to investigate the reaction mechanism of the precursor when heated at high temperature. The as-synthesized LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, exhibiting initial specific capacity of 167 mAh g⁻¹ with stable cyclic performance.