Microwave-assisted synthesis of Co-free Li[Li 0.2 Ni 0.2 Mn 0.6 ]O 2 cathodes with a spinel-layered coherent structure for high-power Li-ion batteries.

Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides (LMLOs) are regarded as the most promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs), but they suffer from poor rate capability. Herein, a promising and practical method ( i.e. a hydroxide coprecipitation method in combination with a microwave heating process) is developed to controllably synthesize cobalt-free Li[Li 0.2 Ni 0.2 Mn 0.6 ]O 2 with a layered/spinel heterostructure (LLNMO-LS). The cathode made of the LLNMO-LS delivers an excellent electrochemical performance, demonstrating a discharge capacity of 147 mA h g -1 at 10C.