Influence of different lithium sources on the morphology, structure and electrochemical performances of lithium-rich layered oxides

Lithium-rich layered oxides were synthesized via co-precipitation by using different lithium sources (LiOH, Li2CO3 and CH3COOLi). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements were used to investigate the morphology, reaction process, specific surface area, composition, structure and electrochemical performance of the lithium-rich oxides, respectively. The use of different lithium sources mainly affects the primary particle size and secondary particle morphology of the final product. Using LiOH as the lithium source, the maximum discharge capacity of sample can reach to 272.1 mA h g–1 in the voltage range of 2.0–4.6 V at room temperature, even after 50 cycles, the retention rate is still reach 91.4%. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results show that lithium-rich oxides using LiOH as the lithium source have the minimum value of impedance after 50 cycles. Therefore, the choice of appropriate lithium source is an effective way to improve the electrochemical properties of lithium-rich layered oxides.