Graphene as a Conductive Additive to Improve the Performance of Layered LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Layer-structured LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 is prepared via sol-gel route followed by annealing at 1173 K for 12 h. Structural and morphological features of the prepared material are examined with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Characterization techniques depict the single-phase LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 with particle size in the range of 700 to 900 nm. Graphene is added to LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 particles as conductive additive during electrode fabrication and its influence on the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 is investigated. The results indicate the better electrochemical performance of LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2 mixed with graphene in terms of high discharge capacity (246 mAh/g at 5 mA/g) and good cycling performance compared to LiNi0.66Co0.17Mn0.17O2. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the decrease in the charge-transfer resistance.