Preparation and Electrochemical Study of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Cathode Materials by Co-Precipitation-Assisted Polymer Network Gel Method

The LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material was successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation-assisted polymer network gel method. The prepared LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 material had a relatively small particle size and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. The sample can provide an initial discharge specific capacity of 196.0 mA h g–1 (0.2 C). At a 2 C rate, the initial discharge reached 160.2 mA h g–1, and the capacity retention rate was 62.7% after 100 cycles. In addition, at a high magnification of 5 C, the capacity retention rate still remained at 56.0%, after 100 cycles. Electrochemical data indicated that the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 material exhibits superior rate performance. The excellent electrochemical performance of the material was attributed to the constraints of the gel grid and the generation of flowing gas during the calcination of the carbonate precursor, which hinder the agglomeration of the powder and further enhances the dispersibility of the particles. The obtained LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material with uniform particle size reduced the charge transfer resistance and enhanced the lithium ion diffusion capacity.