Magnetic Li–M (M = Ni, Ni0.8Cu0.2, Cr) layered oxides nanoparticles for Li-ion batteries electrodes

Abstract

Nanoparticles of Li–Ni, Li–(Ni, Cu) and Li–Cr layered oxides, with potential applications as cathode materials in lithium batteries, were prepared by solid-state reaction and sol-gel method. The combination of structural analysis and magnetic characterization allowed the clear identification of the phases present in the synthesized nanoparticles. The main component of Li–Ni oxide nanoparticles is the electrochemically active and ferrimagnetic phase Li1−z Ni1+z O2, whereas those of Li–Cr oxide are the antiferromagnetic phases LiCrO2 and Cr2O3. A small substitution of Cu for Ni in Li–Ni oxide determines the formation of nanoparticles in which the main phase is the antiferromagnetic phase Li1−z Ni1+z O2. Operation tests in lithium batteries and post-mortem analysis, aimed at assessing the potential of metal oxide nanoparticles as cathode materials, were performed on all samples.