Abstract:LiCoO₂, LiNiO₂ and their solid solution, LiNi_1−xCo_xO₂, are important cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Samples in this system were synthesized by solid state reaction of Co₃O₄, NiO and Li₂CO₃ or LiOH·H₂O. Their lattice parameters were determined by Rietveld refinement. High temperature drop solution calorimetry in molten 3Na₂O·4MoO₃ and 2PbO·B₂O₃ solvents at 974 K was performed to determine the enthalpy of formation from the constituent oxides plus oxygen and the enthalpy of mixing in the solid solution series. There are approximately linear correlations between the lattice parameters, the enthalpy of formation from oxides (Li₂O, NiO and CoO) plus O₂ and the Co content in the compounds. The solid solution of LiCoO₂ and LiNiO₂ is almost ideal, showing a small positive enthalpy of mixing. The enthalpy of formation of LiCoO₂ from oxides (Li₂O, NiO and CoO) and oxygen at 298 K is -142.5±1.7 kJ/mol (from sodium molybdate calorimetry) or −140.2±2.3 kJ/mol (from lead borate calorimetry). That of LiNiO₂ is −56.2±1.5 kJ/mol (from sodium molybdate calorimetry) or −53.4±1.7 kJ/mol (from lead borate calorimetry). The cobalt compound is thus significantly more stable than its nickel analogue. The phase assemblage LiCoO₂, Li₂O and CoO is seen at a lower oxygen pressure at constant temperature than the assemblage Co₃O₄/CoO, reflecting the stabilization of Co(III) in the ternary Li–Co–O system.