Synthesis and characterization of integrated layered nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries.

The series of Li[NixMxLi1/3-xMn2/3-x]O2 cathodes, where M is cobalt or chromium with a wide compositional range x from 0 to 0.33, were prepared by hydroxide coprecipitation method with subsequent quenching. The sample structures were investigated using X-ray diffraction results which were indexed completely on the basis of a trigonal structure of space group R3m̄ with monoclinic C2/m phase as expected. The morphologies and electrochemical properties of the samples obtained were compared as the value of x and substituted transition metal. The particle sizes of cobalt-substituted Li[NixCoxLi1/3-xMn2/3-x]O2 samples are much smaller than those of the Li[NixCrxLi1/3-xMn2/3-x]O2 system. The electrode containing Li[NixCoxLi1/3-xMn2/3-x]O2 with x = 0.10 delivered a discharge capacity of above 200 mAh/g after 10 cycles due to the activation of Li2MnO3.PACS: 82.47.Aa; 82.47.-a; 82.45.Fk.