Easy and Scalable Syntheses of Li 1.2 Ni 0.2 Mn 0.6 O 2

Solid-state and sol-gel syntheses were selected as easy and scalable methods to prepare a lithium-rich cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Among the extended family of layered oxides, Li 1.2 Ni 0.2 Mn 0.6 O 2 was chosen for its low nickel content and the absence of cobalt. Both synthesis methods involved two heating steps at different temperatures, 600 and 900 °C. The first step is needed to decompose the metal acetates, which were selected as precursors, and the second step is needed to crystallise the material. To obtain a material with well-defined defects, the rate of heating and cooling was carefully controlled. The materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction, SEM coupled with EDS analysis, and thermal analysis and were finally tested as cathodes in a lithium semi cell. The solid-state synthesis allowed us to obtain better structural characteristics with respect to the sol-gel one in terms of a well-formed hexagonal layer structure and a reduced Li + /Ni 2+ disorder. On the other hand, the sol-gel method produced a material with a higher specific capacity. The performance of this latter material was then evaluated as a function of the discharge current, highlighting its good rate capabilities.