Acacia gum-assisted co-precipitating synthesis of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 particles of uniform size were prepared through carbonate co-precipitation method with acacia gum. The precursor of carbonate mixture was calcined at 800 °C, and a well-crystallized Ni-rich layered oxide was got. The phase structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The micro-sized particles delivered high initial discharge capacity of 164.3 mA h g −1 at 0.5 C (1 C = 200 mA g −1 ) between 2.5 and 4.3 V with capacity retention of 87.5 % after 100 cycles. High reversible discharge capacities of 172.4 and 131.4 mA h g −1 were obtained at current density of 0.1 and 5 C, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed to further study the LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 particles. Anyway, the excellent electrochemical performances of LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 sample should be attributed to the use of acacia gum.