In order to shorten process time and possibly reduce synthesis cost of LiNi(1/3)Co(1/3)Mn(1/3)O(2), the cathode material was prepared by solution combustion and microwave synthesis routes with reduced duration of calcination. The products were also surface-modified with Al(2)O(3) by a mechano-thermal coating process to enhance cyclability. The structure and morphology of the bare and the surface-modified LiNi(1/3)Co(1/3)Mn(1/3)O(2) samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. At a 0.1-C rate and between 4.6 and 2.5 V, the products delivered a first-cycle discharge capacity of as much as 195 mA h/g. Surface modification of LiNi(1/3)Co(1/3)Mn(1/3)O(2) with alumina resulted in improved cyclability.
