Effects of self-catalyzed polyaniline coating on the electrochemical performance of 0.4Li2MnO3·0.6LiMn0.33Ni0.33Co0.33O2 electrodes

Abstract

Self-catalyzed polyaniline (PANI)-coating on the surface of 0.4Li2MnO3·0.6LiMn0.33Ni0.33Co0.33O2 powders was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization with the aid of the Mn4+ ions of the pristine material as oxidants. Discharge capacity of the PANI-coated electrode was 98 mAhg-1 at 2.4 C-rate, while the uncoated sample showed 68 mAhg-1. Discharge capacity was retained at 94% by the 40th cycle, while that of uncoated electrode was retained at 85%. The improvement of electrochemical performances is attributed to the PANI-coating that acts as a protective layer and suppresses the formation of solid electrolyte interphase layer by retarding the rate of electrolyte decomposition.