Enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium ion batteries of a hollow spherical lithium-rich cathode material synthesized by a molten salt method

A high voltage layered Li 1.2 Ni 0.16 Co 0.08 Mn 0.56 O 2 cathode material with a hollow spherical structure has been synthesized by molten-salt method in a NaCl flux. Characterization by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed its structure and proved that the as-prepared powder is constituted of small, homogenously sized hollow spheres (1–1.5 μm). The material exhibited enhanced rate capability and high first cycle efficiency due to the good dispersion of secondary particles. Galvanostatic cycling at different temperatures (20, 40, and 60 °C) and a current rate of 2 C (500 mA·g −1 ) showed no significant capacity fade.