Synthesis and Characterization of LiCoO2 from Different Precursors by Sol-Gel Method

Lithium cobalt oxide, LiCoO2, widely used as cathode in lithium ion batteries was synthesized and their structural and electronic properties investigated. The crystalline powders were prepared by the sol-gel method with four complexing agents: citric acid, glycine, starch and gelatin. These syntheses were compared with the blank test (without complexing agent). The X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy allowed the identification of the rhombohedral phase LiCoO2 (R3m) as the only or principal crystalline component in all samples. A small fraction of a second phase of cubic spinel Co3O4...