One-nanometer-precision control of Al₂O₃ nanoshells through a solution-based synthesis route

Forming uniform metal oxide nanocoatings is a well-known challenge in the construction of core-shell type nanomaterials. Herein, by using buffer solution as a specific reaction medium, we demonstrate the possibility to grow thin nanoshells of metal oxides, typically Al₂O₃, on different kinds of core materials, forming a uniform surface-coating layer with thicknesses achieving one nanometer precision. The application of this methodology for the surface modification of LiCoO₂ shows that a thin nanoshell of Al₂O₃ can be readily tuned on the surface for an optimized battery performance. Uniform surface coatings of Al₂O₃ with a thickness controllable at the one nanometer level were achieved by a solution-based synthesis route. Application of this coating methodology to LiCoO₂ showed that its battery performance as a cathode material can be optimized by means of systematic surface control.