Influence of the total metal ions concentration and CTAB on the electrochemical properties of NCA cathode synthesized by using urea precipitant

The precursor synthesis of the LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 (NCA) is usually operated in NaOH/NH 3 ·H 2 O aqueous system, and the pH value and the liquid feeding rate need strict control. Herein, a simple synthesis method was investigated without pH and liquid feeding rate control by using urea as the precipitation agent. The relationship of the metal ions’ concentration to the homogeneity of the precursor was studied in detail. To decrease the lattice disordering ratio and increase the reversible capacity of the NCA, polar CTAB molecules were added into the CO(NH 2 ) 2 /H 2 O system. The lattice disordering ratio of the NCA was decreased and the integral electrochemical performances were improved. The stable reversible capacity of the battery in 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 C can reach to 188, 173, 167, 162, 152, 143, and 125 mAh g −1 . It is expected that the simple synthesize method may provide some inspiration to the NCA cathode research.