Cube-shaped hierarchical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ with enhanced growth of nanocrystal planes as high-performance cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Hierarchical cubed LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (CH-NCM) with enhanced growth of electrochemically active planes is synthesized using cube structured MnCO₃ as a self-template, which is synthesized by a fast, simple, and surfactant-free co-precipitation method. The CH-NCM cathode has a reversible discharge capacity as high as 220.9, 216.2, 211.4, 189.6, 171.7 and 144.5 mA h g^-1 at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 C, respectively. After 100 cycles, the capacity retention is 83.34% at 0.1 C. The superior electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the special cube-shaped hierarchical structure and enhanced growth of electrochemically active surface planes of CH-NCM. The primary nanoparticles with enhanced growth of electrochemically active surface planes guarantee ultrafast Li⁺ intercalation/deintercalation, while the submicroassemblies promise good structural stability.