Role of Chemical and Structural Stabilities on the Electrochemical Properties of Layered LiNi[sub 1∕3]Mn[sub 1∕3]Co[sub 1∕3]O[sub 2] Cathodes

With an aim to develop an understanding of the higher reversible capacities exhibited by the layered cathode compared to that of , its chemical and structural stabilities are investigated by characterizing the samples obtained by chemical lithium extraction. The cathode prepared by firing the coprecipitated hydroxides of the transition metal ions with 7 atom % excess lithium hydroxide exhibits a discharge capacity of (at and rate) with 90% capacity retention in 50 cycles. The higher reversible capacity of is attributed to its better chemical and structural stability down to a lower lithium content of compared to with the analogous cathode. The system is found to be chemically stable for without tending to lose any oxygen from the lattice and structurally stable for at least by maintaining the initial O3 structure.