Enhanced Rate Performance of Al-Doped Li-Rich Layered Cathode Material via Nucleation and Post-solvothermal Method

Abstract

Al-doped layered cathode materials Li1.5–xAlxMn0.675Ni0.1675Co0.1675O2 have been successfully synthesized via a rapid nucleation and post-solvothermal method. The surface morphology and crystal structures of Al-doped Li-rich materials are investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. After optimization, the Li1.45Al0.05Mn0.675Ni0.1675Co0.1675O2 (Al = 0.05) sample showed excellent electrochemical performance, and the discharge capacities are 323.7 and 120 mAh g–1 at a rate of 0.1 and 20 C, respectively. These improvements, based on electrochemical performance evaluation and density functional theory calculations, might be ascribed to the increased electron conductivity of layered Li-rich material via Al3+ ions doped into a crystal structure.