Li-ion battery cathode performance from the electrospun binary LiCoO₂ to ternary Li₂CoTi₃O₈

Metal oxide nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning and are developed to be the electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The effect of calcination temperature and the Li:Co mole ratio of LiCoO₂ nanofibers was investigated on the electrochemical cathode performance in a coin cell battery. The higher temperature calcination and Li:Co mole ratio have improved the electrochemical performance of the nanofibers. Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) nanofibers obtained at 400 and 700 °C retain 65% and 90% of the initial capacity, respectively, after the high-current test and the C-rate reverted to 0.1 C. When doubling the mole ratio of Li:Co (2:1), an increase in specific capacity values from 78 to 148 mAh g⁻¹ has been provided. Additionally, colloidal titania nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs)-doped LiCoO₂ nanofibers were obtained and investigated as a cathode material. While the increment in calcination temperature results in higher crystallinity and stability of the LiCoO₂ phase, in the presence of the TiO₂ NPs causes a transformation of binary (LiCoO₂/TiO₂) to ternary Li-based transition metal oxide (Li₂CoTi₃O₈/TiO₂). An initial discharge capacity of 82 mAh g⁻¹ was found at 0.1 C for the Li₂CoTi₃O₈/TiO₂ nanoparticles and the capacity retention was 83% when returned to 0.1 C after 25 cycles.