LiAlxCo1−xO2 as 4 V cathodes for lithium ion batteries

Nominal LiAlxCo1−xO2 with x ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 was prepared by heating mixture of Al(OH)3, Co3O4 and LiOH at 750°C in air. The effect of substitution of non-transition metal, Al, in LiCoO2 is investigated as a 4 V cathode for lithium ion. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates formation of a single phase (R3m) within this range of substitution. When cycled between 4.5 and 2.5 V vs. Li/Li+ at a current density of 1 mA cm−2, the LiAl0.15Co0.85O2 cathode exhibits reversible capacity of 160 mA h g−1 initially. XRD of the cathode made at the end of 10 cycles reveals no significant change on host structure.