The nanocubic Co3O4 was synthesized by hydrothermal oxidation method. The effects of cobalt salt, precipitating agent, surfactant, solvent, pH value of the suspension and the amount of oxidant H2O2 on the morphology and structure of Co3O4 were investigated. The Co3O4 powders were characterized by transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the morphology of Co3O4 is closely dependant on the anion in cobalt salts, but it is not so sensitive to the precipitating agents and solvents. The amount of H2O2 is the key factor to obtain Co3O4 with spinel crystal structure. The optimum synthetic conditions of uniform shape-controlled Co3O4 nanocubes are as follows: Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O as cobalt salt, KOH as precipitating agent, polyethylene glycol with relative molecular mass of about 20 000 as surfactant, water-n-butanol as solvent system, pH value of 8-9, the molar ratio of H2O2 to Co2+ above 2.5∶1.0, hydrothermal temperature of 160 ℃ and hydrothermal holding time of 10 h. The tap density and apparent density of nanocubic Co3O4 obtained with the average particle size of 20 nm are 1.01 g/cm3 and 0.70 g/cm3, respectively.
LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was coated with uniform nano-sized AlF3 layer by chemical precipitation method to improve its rate capability.The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD),transmission electron microscopy (TEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS),charge-discharge cycling,cyclic voltammetry (CV),and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).Uniform coated layer with a thickness of about 3 nm was observed on the surface of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 particle by TEM.At 0.5C and 2C rates,1.5% (mass fraction) AlF3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2/Li in 2.8-4.3 V versus Li/Li+ after 80 cycles showed less than 3% of capacity fading,while those of the bare one were 16.5% and 45.9%,respectively.At 5C rate,the capacity retention of the coated sample after 50 cycles maintained 91.4% of the initial discharge capacity,while that of the bare one decreased to 52.6%.EIS result showed that a little change of charge transfer resistance of the coated sample resulting from uniform thin AlF3 layer was proposed as the main reason why its rate capability was improved obviously.CV result further indicated a greater reversibility for the electrode processes and better electrochemical performance of AlF3-coated layer.
