Original Articles
M. C. Rao
Abstract
Improvements in the capacity of modern lithium batteries continue to be made possible by enhanced electronic conductivities and ionic diffusivities in anode and cathode materials. Lithium ion battery technology has been applied to both thin, light and flexible portable electronic devices and more recently, to batteries for transportation systems including hybrid and electric vehicles. LiCoO2 has been commercially used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high capacity and excellent cycling stability. Layered LiNiO2, LiMnO2 and their derivatives are promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. Lithium-excess layered oxides, Li[Li, Mn, Ni, Co]O2, such as (Li2MnO3)x(LiMO2(M=Ni, Co, Mn))1−x, offer a working voltage much higher capacity values than those of LiCoO2 and LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 and LiNi1−xCoxO2, where x ≤ 0.4, is considered as a promising material based on its lower price, higher specific capacity and better cycleability.