Pickering emulsion polymerization of polyaniline/LiCoO2 nanoparticles used as cathode materials for lithium batteries

The oil in water (o/w) emulsions were prepared using aniline dissolved in toluene and LiCoO2 particles as stabilizers (Pickering emulsions). Pickering emulsions are stabilized by adsorbed solid particles instead of emulsifier molecules. The mean droplet diameter of emulsions was controlled by the mass ratio M (oil)/M (solid particles). The emulsions showed great stability during 3 days. The composite materials containing LiCoO2 and the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI) have been prepared by means of polymerization of aniline emulsion stabilized by LiCoO2 particles. The composite materials were characterized by nanosphere and nanofiber-like structures. The nanofiber-like morphology of the powdered material was distinctly different of the morphologies of the parent materials. The electrochemical reactivity of PANI/LiCoO2 composites as positive electrode in a lithium battery was examined during lithium ion deinsertion and insertion by galvanostatic charge–discharge testing; PANI/LiCoO2 (1:4) composite materials exhibited the best electrochemical performance by increasing the reaction reversibility and capacity compared to that of the pristine LiCoO2 cathode. The first discharge capacity of PANI/LiCoO2 (1:4) was 167 mAh/g, while that of LiCoO2 was136 mAh/g.