LiNi_(0.85)Co_(0.15)O_2 compounds were synthesized under various conditions by heating a mixture of lithium hydroxide (LiOH·H_2O), nickel oxide (Ni_2O_3) and cobalt oxide (Co_2O_3). The products of LiNi_(0.85)Co_(0.15)O_2 were characterized by XRD and electrochemical tests. Based on the experimental results, the influence of synthetic conditions, including temperature and Li/Ni/Co molar ratio on the structure of the products, and the relationship between structure and electrochemical behavior are discussed. It is important to control synthetic conditions in order to obtain layered and highly crystallized product. By Rietveld refinement, the asprepared product shows a = 0.2874 nm, c = 1.4229 nm, and maximum cell volume V = 0. 10180 nm~3 and it also shows a high initial discharge capacity of 197 mA·h/g and retention of over 180 mA·h/g after 15 cycles.

Key words: LITHIUM ION, BATTERIES, ELECTRODE, LITHIUM OXIDE, NICKEL OXIDE, COBALT OXIDE, XRD, CRYSTAL STRUCTURE