An approach to application for LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode material at high cutoff voltage by TiO2 coating

Nickel-rich LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 cathode material is coated with nano-sized anatase TiO 2 synthesized via hydrolyzation method to improve its electrochemical performance at high cutoff voltage of 4.5 V. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) results show that the anatase TiO 2 is successfully coated on the surface of LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 with nanoscale and the coating layer thickness is about 25–35 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) test results indicate that appropriate amount of TiO 2 coating is beneficial to form a good layered structure with less cation disorder. Charge–discharge test results demonstrate that the TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 presents excellent cycling capability, rate capability and thermal stability at cutoff voltage of 4.5 V. The 1.0 wt.% TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 exhibits a capacity retention of 88.7% after 50 cycles at 1 C and a discharge capacity of 135.8 mAh g −1 after 10 cycles at 5 C, comparing to those of the pristine LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 of only 78.1% and 85.4 mAh g −1 . Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests results provide evidence that the improved electrochemical properties are mainly attributed to the suppression of the interface reaction between the cathode and electrolyte and the improvement of structural stability of the material by coating. • Anatase nano-TiO 2 is successfully coated on the surface of LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 . • Appropriate amount of TiO 2 is beneficial to reduce cation disorder. • The 1.0 wt.% TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 exhibits excellent electrochemistry properties. • The TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 presents excellent thermal stability.