Improving the Structural Ordering and Particle-Size Homogeneity of Li-Rich Layered Li<sub>1.2</sub>Ni<sub>0.13</sub>Co<sub>0.13</sub>Mn<sub>0.54</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Cathode Materials through Microwave Irradiation Solid-State Synthesis
Jotti Karunawan,
Oktaviardi Bityasmawan Abdillah,
Octia Floweri,
Mahardika Prasetya Aji,
Sigit Puji Santosa,
Afriyanti Sumboja,
Ferry Iskandar
Affiliations
Jotti Karunawan
Doctoral Program of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Graduate School, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Oktaviardi Bityasmawan Abdillah
Collaboration Research Center for Advanced Energy Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency–Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Octia Floweri
Collaboration Research Center for Advanced Energy Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency–Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Mahardika Prasetya Aji
Department of Physics, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Jalan Raya Banaran, Semarang 50229, Indonesia
Sigit Puji Santosa
National Centre for Sustainable Transportation Technology (NCSTT), Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Afriyanti Sumboja
Collaboration Research Center for Advanced Energy Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency–Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Ferry Iskandar
Research Center of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 (LNCM) has been intensively investigated owing to its high capacity and large voltage window. However, despite its high performance, the synthesis of LNCM can be challenging as it usually contains structural disorders and particle-size inhomogeneities, especially via a solid-state method. This work introduces microwave irradiation treatment on the LNCM fabricated via a solid-state method. The as-treated LNCM has low structural disorders, as indicated by the smaller cation mixing, better hexagonal ordering, and higher c/a ratio compared to the non-treated LNCM. Furthermore, the particle-size homogeneities of as-treated LNCM improved, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analyzer (PSA) measurements. The improved structural ordering and particle-size homogeneity of the treated sample enhances the specific capacity, initial Coulombic efficiency, and rate capability of the cathode material. The LNCM sample with 20 min of microwave treatment exhibits an optimum performance, showing a large specific capacity (259.84 mAh/g), a high first-cycle Coulombic efficiency (81.45%), and good rate capability. It also showed a stable electrochemical performance with 80.57% capacity retention after 200 cycles (at a charge/discharge of 0.2C/0.5C), which is 13% higher than samples without microwave irradiation.