Enhanced electrochemical performance of surface-treated Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

In order to enhance the electrochemical performance of the Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 cathode material synthesized using co-precipitation, its surface was coated with Al2O3 by using atomic layer deposition. The crystal structure of the bare and coated material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The material showed a layered structure and no impurity phase. No change in the crystal structure was observed after surface coating. The synthesized particles were spherical, with an approximate size of 5–20 µm. The prepared Li[Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1]O2 showed a fairly high discharge capacity of 241.8 mAh/g. After being coated with 3 nm of Al2O3, the electrochemical properties were enhanced, together with the charge/discharge cycling properties at room and elevated temperatures.