Preparation and Effect of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-Coated LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Surface coating using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) has been applied to improve the electrochemical properties of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode materials. The APTES coating layer on the surface of NCM523 protects the direct contact area between the cathode material and the electrolyte, and facilitates the presence of electrons through the abundance of electron-rich amine groups, thereby improving electrochemical performance. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the existence of APTES coating layers on the surface of NCM523 cathode materials, revealing three peaks—N1s, O1s, and Si1s—that were not identified in bare NCM523. In addition, the discharge capacities of the bare electrode and the APTES-coated NCM523 electrode were 121.06 mAh/g and 156.43 mAh/g, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the use of an APTES coating on NCM523 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries has never been reported.