Adorned Li-rich Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 with LiAlO2 for improved electrochemical properties in lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, core-shell like LiAlO 2 -coated Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 composite was synthesized by an improved solvothermal method. The surface of the material becomes rough after LiAlO 2 coating with a thickness of 5–10 nm. Meanwhile, the surface-coating component with the layer structure α-LiAlO 2 can change the dispersion of transition metal elements. When tested in 2.0–4.8 V at 0.05 °C, the initial discharge capacity of the LiAlO 2 -coated sample is 206.4 mAh g −1 with the columbic efficiency of 78.0%, which is higher than that of the pristine Li-rich Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 sample. Further tested under 1 C rate, the coated sample possesses 151.4 mAh g −1 of specific capacity and maintains 149.0 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles with the capacity retention of 98.4%. The improved reversible capacity, rate capability, and cycling durability of the Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 material are attributed to the synergistic effect of surface coating of highly Li-conductive LiAlO 2 and the fuzzy interface between LiAlO 2 and Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 .