Synthesis of disk-like LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanoplates with exposed (001) planes and their enhanced rate performance in a lithium ion battery

With the addition of span 85, disk-like LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanoplates with exposed (001) planes were synthesized using a simple Pechini method. The diameter of the disk-like LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanoplates was approximately 50 nm while the thickness was around 3 nm. This result showed that the mixture of liquid surfactants played a key role in the change of morphology of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanoplates. This kind of cathode material, which was applied in a lithium ion battery, achieved a high specific capacity of 165 mA h g⁻¹ at 2C after 200 cycles, together with a capacity retention ratio of 98.2%.