Synthesis of Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 by a modified sol-gel method for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Li(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)O2 was synthesized by a novel modified sol-gel method, which is simpler and more efficient than the traditional sol-gel method. Different from the traditional sol-gel method to generate chelate-gel, the mechanism of modified sol-gel method is to utilize the esterification reaction between citric acid chelate and ethanol to spontaneously generate more homogeneous esterified-gel. Compared with the traditional sol-gel method, the samples prepared by modified sol-gel method showed better layered crystal structure and more uniform morphology. Additionally, electrochemical tests illustrated that the modified method can also synthesize electrode materials with excellent electrochemical properties. The initial discharge capacity could reach 223.7 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. At 1 C rate, the initial discharge capacity was 144.9 mAh/g, after 50 cycles, it still had a capacity retention rate of 80.6%.