Effects of ultrasound irradiation on Au nanoparticles deposition on carbon-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 and its performance as a cathode material for Li ion batteries

• Published in: Ultrasonics sonochemistry 2022-01, Vol.82, p.105879-105879, Article 105879
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Yasuyuki, Okawa, Hirokazu, Kato, Takahiro, Sugawara, Katsuyasu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Au nanoparticles; Carbon coating; Li-ion battery; LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4; Short Communication; Sonochemical synthesis
• ISSN: 1350-4177; 1873-2828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105879

[Display omitted] •The effect of ultrasound and LMNO on reduction of Au3+ to Au NPs are determined.•Au NPs are successfully deposited on a 5-V-class cathode material using ultrasound.•Ultrasound is superior to stirring for dispersing Au NPs on LMNO/C.•Au NP deposition using ultrasound improves the electronic conductivity of LMNO/C. LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LMNO) has attracted considerable attention as a Li-ion battery cathode material, owing to its high discharge voltage of 4.7 V (vs. Li/Li+) and high energy density. However, the electronic conductivity of LMNO is low, resulting in a low discharge capacity at high current density. To overcome this limitation, we deposited Au nanoparticles (NPs), which have a high conductivity and chemical stability at high battery voltages, on carbon-coated LMNO (LMNO/C) using ultrasound irradiation. Consequently, Au NPs that are ∼16 nm in size were deposited on LMNO/C, and ultrasound irradiation was reported to disperse the NPs on LMNO/C more effectively than stirring. Furthermore, the deposition of Au NPs on LMNO/C using ultrasound irradiation improved its electronic conductivity, which is related to an increase in the discharge capacity due to the reduction of Ni4+ to Ni2+ in LMNO/C at a high current density.