Hollow microspherical layered xLi2MnO3·(1-x)LiNiO2 (x=0.3–0.7) as cathode material for lithium–ion batteries

Li-rich layered Li2MnO3 is of great attraction for high energy lithium ion batteries. However, its cycling is still needed for improvements. Here we report a hollow microsphere-structured xLi(2)MnO(3)center dot(1-x)LiNiO2 (x = 0.3-0.7) that is synthesized by using in-situ template-sacrificial strategy. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterizations prove that thexLi(2)MnO(3)center dot(1-x)LiNiO2 (x = 0.3-0.7) are based on monoclinic Li2MnO3 with alpha-NaFeO2 layered structure in which Li+ ions are orderly arranged in the transition metal layers, and the hollow-microspheres have diameters of similar to 3 mu m. Electrochemical results show that the optimal ratio of Li2MnO3/LiNiO(2 )is 0.6/0.4. As a consequence, the stabilized discharge capacity of 0.6Li(2)MnO(3)center dot 0.4LiNiO(2) (0.6LLMNO) is similar to 210 mAh g(-1) after the first few cycles. This shows that appropriate amount Ni substitution for Mn in Li2MnO3 helps to improve the specific capacity and cycling stability. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.