Hierarchically Structured Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide with Exposed Active {010} Planes as High-Rate-Capability Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-rich layered oxide is an attractive candidate for high-energy-density cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. However, the low cycling performance and poor rate capability severely impede its commercial applications, among which rate capability is a serious barrier, because it will lead to serious energy fading during fast charging/discharging. To cure this issue, we report an efficient strategy to fabricate high-rate and cycling-stable hierarchically structured lithium-rich layered oxide, Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2+δ, by using the evolutionary coprecipitate method and subsequent high-temperature calcination technique. The structure and electrochemical performance of this cathode are systematically investigated, and the results reveal that the hierarchically structured microsphere is self-assembled with nanoscaled grains and radial nanoplates with exposed active {010} planes, which favor Li+ transport kinetics and structural stability during the charge/discharge process. Benefiting from the unique architecture, this cathode material reciprocates a high initial reversible capacity (282.5 mA·h·g–1) and excellent cycling performance (93.6% capacity retention after 150 cycles at 0.5 C and 83.8% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 5 C). Moreover, it exhibits an outstanding rate capability and can achieve about 55.2% (155.8 mA·h·g–1) of the capacity at 0.1 C within about 4.7 min of ultrafast charging/discharging (10 C). The favorable results provide a feasible route to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium-rich layered oxide for constructing high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries.