Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material by Al2O3 surface coating derived via NH2-MIL-53(Al) MOF

•Al2O3 surface coating was derived successfully by a novel method via Al-MOFs for LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material.•Al2O3 coating layer has greatly enhanced the rate-capacity and cycle-life performance of the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode.•LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2–5 wt% Al2O3 cathode material discharges 181.5 mAh g–1 at a rate of 10 C (2 A g–1).•The Al2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 has a stable structure, a thin SEI layer and rapid lithium-ion diffusion.