Characteristics and Performance of LiMn0.3Co0.3Ni0.3Ti0.1O2 Cathode Materials

Single phase LiMn_0.3Co_0.3Ni_0.3Ti_0.1O₂ materials are prepared using a self-propagating combustion method. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized using X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-Ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical performances of the materials were characterized by means of galvanostatic charge-discharge test on the fabricated cells.  XRD results showed that the materials are impurity-free and single phase with well ordered hexaganol layered structure of R-3m space group. The compounds annealed at 700 °C at different annealing times showed variations in discharge capacities. The discharge capacities are between 143 and 144 mAhg^-1. The compound annealed at 700 °C for 24 h exhibits the highest first cycle capacity of 143.72 mAhg^-1 over the voltage range of 2.5 to 4.2 V. The 30^th cycle, however, revealed that the materials annealed for 72 h shows the highest specific discharge capacity of 136 mAhg^-1. The capacity fading is only about 4% compared to 23% for the 24 h sample. The longest annealing time of 72 h suggests that highly crystalline LiMn_0.3Co_0.3Ni_0.3Ti_0.1O₂ materials have more stable crystal structure and exhibit good cycling behaviour compound to the 24 h annealed sample. The results suggest that the self-propagating combustion method is a promising technique for the preparation of LiMn_0.3Co_0.3Ni_0.3Ti_0.1O₂ cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.