Hierarchical microspheres and nanoscale particles: Effects of morphology on electrochemical performance of Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Microsphere and nanoscale Li-rich Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ materials were successfully manufactured via co-precipitation and sol–gel method, respectively. The effects of sample morphologies on electrochemical performances were investigated. Although the nanoscale sample synthesized by sol–gel method (SG-LMNCO) has higher initial discharge capacities of 284.3 mAh g^− 1 and coulombic efficiency of 80.1% when charged and discharged at 0.1C (25 mA g^− 1) within 2.0–4.8 V, it suffers from poorer cycling stability than the spherical sample (CP-LMNCO) prepared through co-precipitation method. As for CP-LMNCO material, it delivers an initial discharge capacity of 260.7 mAh g^− 1 and retention of 85.2% at the current density of 0.1C; 226.5 mAh g^− 1 and 89.7% at 0.5C; 187.1 mAh g^− 1 and 88% at 2C after 60 cycles, respectively. And the C-LMNCO sample also shows a superior rate performance. It illustrates the Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ material with spherical hierarchical morphology can uphold its structure during cycling and is more promising for practical application.