Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Zr‐Modified Layered LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 Cathode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Zr‐modified LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3− x Zr x O 2 samples were prepared through a rheological‐phase method. The results indicate that there is only partial Zr doping into the bulk phase of the LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 particles, whereas the rest of the Zr remained on the surface to form a Li 2 ZrO 3 coating layer during the Zr‐modification process. The Zr‐modified LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3− x Zr x O 2 samples show lower discharge specific capacities at low rates, however, which exhibit clearly improved rate capabilities than that of pristine LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 . Among the Zr‐modified LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3− x Zr x O 2 samples, LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3−0.01 Zr 0.01 O 2 ( x =0.01) shows the best rate capability, which exhibts158, 142, and 132 mAh g −1 at 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 C, respectively. The related results indicate that the doped Zr in pristine LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 could improve the structure stability and the formation of an inactive Li 2 ZrO 3 coating layer which could suppress the interfacial side reaction of LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 .