Sn-doped Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance

Sn-doped Li-rich layered oxides of Li1.2Mn0.54-x Ni0.13Co0.13Sn x O2 have been synthesized via a sol-gel method, and their microstructure and electrochemical performance have been studied. The addition of Sn4+ ions has no distinct influence on the crystal structure of the materials. After doped with an appropriate amount of Sn4+, the electrochemical performance of Li1.2Mn0.54-x Ni0.13Co0.13Sn x O2 cathode materials is significantly enhanced. The optimal electrochemical performance is obtained at x = 0.01. The Li1.2Mn0.53Ni0.13Co0.13Sn0.01O2 electrode delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 268.9 mAh g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of 76.5% and a reversible capacity of 199.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C with capacity retention of 75.2% after 100 cycles. In addition, the Li1.2Mn0.53Ni0.13Co0.13Sn0.01O2 electrode exhibits the superior rate capability with discharge capacities of 239.8, 198.6, 164.4, 133.4, and 88.8 mAh g−1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 C, respectively, which are much higher than those of Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 (196.2, 153.5, 117.5, 92.7, and 43.8 mAh g−1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 C, respectively). The substitution of Sn4+ for Mn4+ enlarges the Li+ diffusion channels due to its larger ionic radius compared to Mn4+ and enhances the structural stability of Li-rich oxides, leading to the improved electrochemical performance in the Sn-doped Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode materials.