Preparation of ultra-stable Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O2 cathode material with a continuous hydroxide co-precipitation method

Spherical-like Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O2 (LiNCM622) cathode material is successfully prepared with the precursor of Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2(OH)2 (NCM622OH) synthesized via an improved continuous hydroxide co-precipitation method (CHCP). The morphology, particle size distribution and electrochemical performance of the as-prepared cathode materials could not change over time. The CHCP system designed in this work could extremely improve the production efficiency of the LiNCM622 cathode material. The as-prepared LiNCM622 powder presents a type of spherical structure composed of secondary particles with a typical α-NaFeO2 lamellar structure. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 208.5 mAh/g at 0.1C (18 mA/g) with a capacity retention of 92.9% after 214 cycles in the voltage window of 2.8–4.3 V. Most impressively, the specific capacity could also maintain 101.1 mAh/g even at 10 C, with a capacity loss of only 10.5% after 1200 cycles.