Modification of the electrochemical activity of LiMn sub(1.95)Si sub(0.05)O sub(4) spinel viaaddition of phases with different physico-chemical properties

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2014-02, Vol.2 (9), p.3216-3222
• Main Authors: Iturrondobeitia, Amaia, Goni, Aintzane, Lezama, Luis, Kim, Chunjoong, Doeff, Marca, Cabana, Jordi, Rojo, Teofilo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Aluminum oxide; Complement; Joints; Phases; Spinel; Sustainability; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/c3ta14793b

We report the synthesis of composites based on freeze-dried LiMn sub(1.95)Si sub(0.05)O sub(4) spinel. In order to improve the active material-electrolyte interface for better cyclability, three different additive materials were chosen: LiMn sub(1.9)Ga sub(0.1)O sub(4), Al sub(2)O sub(3) and Li sub(3)PO sub(4). A morphologic examination of the composites demonstrated a good connection of the homogeneous primary particles about 50 nm in diameter and the different additive materials, especially when adding LiMn sub(1.9)Ga sub(0.1)O sub(4) and Al sub(2)O sub(3). The nature of the additives was confirmed by XPS and magnetic measurements. The electrochemical study revealed that LiMn sub(1.9)Ga sub(0.1)O sub(4) is a suitable complement to LiMn sub(1.95)Si sub(0.05)O sub(4). Due to the similar transport properties, the concurrence of both differently substituted spinels in the electrode material has a synergistic effect favoring the electrochemical response of the cathode composite.