Synthesis and enhanced electrochemical properties of LiNiCoMnO cathode materials via SDBS-assisted hydrothermal method

LiNiCoMnO (NCM622) materials with shuttle-like hierarchical micro architecture are prepared by sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) assisted hydrothermal method and followed heat treatment method. The effects of SDBS mass percentage on the crystalline structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of NCM622 are studied. The results show that SDBS adjunction improves the crystallinity and reduces the degree of cation mixing. With the addition of SDBS, the particle size of synthesized sample becomes smaller and the distribution is more uniform. Electrochemical results show that the introduction of SDBS can facilitate the electrochemical properties of NCM622. When the weight percentage of SDBS is up to 2.5 wt %, the obtained NCM622 sample displays the best electrochemical properties: its discharge specific capacities are 184.2 mAh g and 114 mAh gat 0.2 C and 10 C, respectively, which are higher than those prepared by other liquid methods, displaying a favorable rate capacity. And the capacity retention rate of 91.06% with 160.2 mAh g after 100 cycles at 1 C rate. It is verified that the appropriate addition of SDBS can able to effectively improve the electrochemical performance of NCM622 as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.