Li-Rich Layered/Spinel Heterostructured Special Morphology Cathode Material with High Rate Capability for Li-Ion Batteries

Li-rich material 0.4Li 2 MnO 3 ·0.6LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 with a layered/spinel heterostructure is synthesized by a simple strategy. On the basis of structure and morphology analyses, it is revealed that the as-prepared Li-rich material possesses both porous micronano structure and integral layered-spinel heterostructure. Moreover, the obtained layered-spinel cathode material possesses prominent electrochemical characteristics, especially its rate capability. The initial discharge capacity of the as-prepared material is 269 mAh g –1 with a high Coulombic efficiency of 90.3%. The material delivers discharge capacities of 239 mAh g –1 at 0.5C, 195 mAh g –1 at 5C, and 175.8 mAh g –1 even at 10C. Also, the capacity retention of the cell is still as high as 80% at high current density (5C) after 200 cycles. The addition of spinel can inhibit the collapse of the material structure and voltage fading upon cycling. The 3D spinel Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 phase in the Li-rich compound could provide a fast Li-ion diffusion pathway and a porous micronano structure which are key parameters for the remarkable excellent electrochemical performance of the as-prepared cathode material.