Synthesis of LiCoO2 particles with uniform size distribution using hydrothermally precipitated Co3O4 fine particles

Abstract

LiCoO2 cathode materials with uniform grain size were prepared using fine grained Co3O4 particles. The effects of the molar ratio of Li/Co and the sintering temperature on the microstructure and the electric properties were studied. The grain size of LiCoO2 increases with an increase in the Li/Co molar ratio and with the sintering temperature. The grain size distribution also depended on both the Li/Co molar ratio and the sintering temperature. The electrical conductivity took a maximum at a certain value of the Li/Co molar ratio, and this variation was related to the presence of the secondary phase at the grain boundary. In addition, the effect of the preparation conditions on the reversible Li-intercalation/deintercalation reaction was also briefly examined. The maximum value in the reversible capacity, 130 mAh/g, was obtained using the optimum preparation condition (Li/Co molar ratio of 1.03 and sintering temperature of 850 °C).