Abstract: LiNi0.01Co0.01Mn1.98O4 materials were prepared by two different methods: starch-assisted combustion (SAC), and traditional solid-state reaction. The product characteristics such as phase composition, particle morphology, and size of as-prepared materials were examined with powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area method, particle size analysis, and analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Both materials exhibited pure spinel structure. The SAC method provided better control of the morphology, particle size, and distribution of the active material. The as-prepared powders were used as positive electrode materials for lithium-ion battery, whose discharge capacity and cycle voltammogram properties were examined. The results showed that the material synthesized by SAC method had high initial specific capacity of 121.2 mAh•g−1 and only 3.5% loss of the capacity after 100 cycles at a rate of 0.1C, and the initial specific capacity was 103.5 mAh•g−1 at a discharge rate of 5C. The single-step process of SAC method is time and cost saving, and thus is promising for commercial application.

Key words: Starch-assisted combustion method, LiNi0.01Co0.01Mn1.98O4, Cyclic voltammetry, EIS, Electrochemical performance