Reducing Synthesis Time of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) Cathode Material by Microwave Heat Treatment

LiNi1–x–yCoxAlyO2 (NCA) is a type of cathode material that is commonly used in the latest generation of lithium-ion battery (LIB). NCA practically delivers high specific capacity (~200 mAh.g–1) with excellent electronic and ionic conductivity. Thanks to its extraordinary properties, NCA is projected to be used widely in the future generation of electric vehicles (EVs). However, its long synthesis process that engages high-temperature heat treatment is one of the problems that hamper its industrial mass production. Herein, we develop a new synthesis method by involving microwave- assisted heat treatment to reduce synthesis time and thus improve energy efficiency. In this work, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) was successfully synthesized by using a chemical coprecipitation method followed by microwave-assisted heat treatment. The resulted materials were then characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). It was revealed that 15 min of microwave heating was able to cut 50% of 12h total heat treatment time, marked with the successfully formed crystalline structure of NCA. Besides, NCA that was synthesized via microwave heating showed better electrochemical performance than NCA synthesized using a conventional method, indicated by a decrease of Rct in EIS measurement and an increase of specific capacity.