Template-assisted synthesis of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 hollow nanospheres as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Based on hydrothermal synthesis and solid-phase thermal reaction, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 hollow nanospheres (LNCA HNSs) were synthesized by using SiO2 hollow nanospheres as hard template. Firstly, the SiO2 HNSs were prepared. Then, (Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05)CO3 nanosheets grew on the surface of SiO2 HNSs to form SiO2@(Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05)CO3 hollow nanospheres with double shells by hydrothermal method. Finally, the above precursors and lithium source were calcined at high temperature, and then SiO2 template was etched to obtain hollow LNCA HNSs. The characterization results showed that the LNCA HNSs are hollow spheres with a diameter of about 1.8 μm. The shell thickness of LNCA HNSs is about 300 nm. Compared with LNCA nanoparticles and LNCA microparticles, LNCA HNSs showed excellent stability, high capacity, and good rate performance as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. The LNCA HNSs exhibited a reversible capacity of 202.4 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and good stability of 179.1 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 80 cycles.