Surface modification of the electrode dramatically improved the performance
of a LiCoO2 electrode charged to 4.6 V.A diamondlike carbon thin film was
deposited uniformly on the electrode surface using de plasma chemical vapor
deposition. This surface treatment suppressed electrolyte decomposition du
ring the charge process. When a coin-type cell using this electrode was cha
rged to 4.6 V, the discharge capacity in the first cycle was 212 mAh/g and
the charge-discharge efficiency was over 90% through five cycles. This trea
tment suggests a new approach to the development of cathodes for lithium-io
n secondary batteries. (C) 2000 The Electrochemical Society. S0013-4651(99)
09-083-7. All rights reserved.