LiMn2O4 rods as cathode materials with high rate capability and good cycling performance in aqueous electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2013-12, Vol.580, p.592-597
• Main Authors: Li, Zhihua, Wang, Liqiu, Li, Keyan, Xue, Dongfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Applied sciences; Aqueous electrolyte; Aqueous electrolytes; Cathode materials; Cathodes; Chemistry; Cycles; Density; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemistry; Electrodes: preparations and properties; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; LiMn2O4 rod; Lithium batteries; Precursors; Properties of electrolytes: conductivity; Rods; Solid-state reaction
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.07.116

•LiMn2O4 rods were synthesized by a modified solid-state reaction method.•LiMn2O4 rods exhibit high rate capability in Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte.•LiMn2O4 rods exhibit good cycling performance after 200cycles. The aqueous lithium–ion batteries using LiMn2O4 as cathode materials are considered to be one of the most promising stationary power sources for large-scale energy storage devices. In the present work, LiMn2O4 rods were successfully synthesized by using hydrothermal reaction to produce β-MnO2 rods as precursor followed by its solid-state lithiation. The influences of the solid-state reaction conditions on the final products were investigated and the electrochemical performances were tested in Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The results show that LiMn2O4 rods can be obtained at 700°C for 8h (Sample A) and at 900°C for 3h (Sample B), respectively. Sample A exhibits superior electrochemical performances. The discharge capacities are 92.5, 92.9, 93.5 and 96.8mAhg−1 at 1000, 500, 200 and 100mAg−1, respectively. They are nearly constant between the high current density of 1000 and 200mAg−1, demonstrating its high rate capability. In addition, sample A exhibits good cycling performance with only a total capacity loss of 5.4% after 200cycles.