Comparison of different soft chemical routes synthesis of submicro-LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and their influence on its electrochemical properties

A comparative study of submicro-crystalline spinel LiMn₂O₄ powders prepared by two different soft chemical routes such as hydrothermal and sol–gel methods is made. The dependence of the physicochemical properties of the spinel LiMn₂O₄ powder has been extensively investigated by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, cyclic voltammogram, charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the electrochemical performances of spinel LiMn₂O₄ depend strongly upon the synthesis method. The LiMn₂O₄ powder prepared by hydrothermal route has higher specific capacity and better cycling performance than the one synthesized from sol–gel method. The former has the max discharge capacity of 114.36 and 99.78 mAh g⁻¹ at the 100th cycle, while the latter has the max discharge capacity of 98.67 and 60.25 mAh g⁻¹ at the 100th cycle. The selected equivalent circuit can fit well the EIS results of synthesized LiMn₂O₄. For spinel LiMn₂O₄ from sol–gel method and hydrothermal route in the first charge process R _SEI remain almost invariable, R _e and R _ct first decreasing and then increasing with the increase of polarization potential.     

Dopant depends on morphological and electrochemical characteristics of LiMn 2– X Mo X O4 cathode nanoparticles

For the first time, solid solutions of LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by combustion method at 700 °C in air. The synthesized LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ (X?=?0.0–0.2) nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, and Particle size analysis. The unit-cell constant is increasing from 8.237 to 8.293 Å with the increase of Mo, the presence of Mo at X?≤?0.05 in LiMn_2–X Mo _X O₄ nanoparticles retained the spinel structure (Fd-3m), whereas on increasing the Mo (X?≥?0.05 %), the ordering of Li⁺ ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral cationic position leads to the lowering of symmetry (P4₁32). On increasing the Mo content, prominent peak splitting and broadening are observed at 600–500 and 830 cm^?1 for Li–Mn–O and Mo–O respectively in the FT-IR spectra. The TG/DTA spectrum reveals that the convenient formation of Li mangano-molybdate is at 700 °C. The voltammograms of all the samples show two redox peaks centered around 4 V except for the sample with higher Mo doping (X?=?0.2). The sample with X?=?0.03 shows higher redox peak current values. A marginal increase of 146 Ω R _ct value was found for the LiMn_1.97Mo_0.03O₄ nanomaterial after 10th cycle which is rather high for the rest of the materials. A discharge capacity retention of 88 % at 50th cycle is observed for X?=?0.03 sample, while the other samples exhibit drastically reduced capacity. The LiMn_1.97Mo_0.03O₄ nanoparticle can able to deliver higher and constant discharge capacity, and it may be a good alternative for the existing cathode materials.     

Electrochemical properties of tetravalent Ti-doped spinel LiMn2O4

Ti-doped spinel LiMn₂O₄ is synthesized by solid-state reaction. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the structure of the doped sample is Li( Mn^{3 +} Mn_{1 - x} ^{4 +} Ti_x^{4 +} )O₄ {\hbox{Li}}\left( {{\hbox{M}}{{\hbox{n}}^{3 + }}{\hbox{Mn}}_{1 - x\,}^{4 + }{\hbox{Ti}}_x^{4 + }} \right){\hbox{O}}{}_4 . The first principle-based calculation shows that the lattice energy increases as Ti doping content increases, which indicates that Ti doping reinforces the stability of the spinel structure. The galvanostatic charge–discharge results show that the doped sample LiMn_1.97Ti_0.03O₄ exhibits maximum discharge capacity of 135.7 mAh g⁻¹ (C/2 rate). Moreover, after 70 cycles, the capacity retention of LiMn_1.97Ti_0.03O₄ is 95.0% while the undoped sample LiMn₂O₄ shows only 84.6% retention under the same condition. Additionally, as charge–discharge rate increases to 12C, the doped sample delivers the capacity of 107 mAh g⁻¹, which is much higher than that of the undoped sample of only 82 mAh g⁻¹. The significantly enhanced capacity retention and rate capability are attributed to the more stable spinel structure, higher ion diffusion coefficient, and lower charge transfer resistance of the Ti-doped spinel.     

Synthesis and characterization of submicron size particles of LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by microemulsion route

Among the various positive electrode materials investigated for Li-ion batteries, spinel LiMn₂O₄ is one of the most important materials. Small particles of the active materials facilitate high-rate capability due to large surface to mass ratio and small diffusion path length. The present work involves the synthesis of submicron size particles of LiMn₂O₄ in a quaternary microemulsion medium. The precursor obtained from the reaction is heated at different temperatures in the range from 400 to 900 °C. The samples heated at 800 and 900 °C are found to possess pure spinel phase with particle size <200 nm, as evidenced from XRD, SEM, and TEM studies. The electrochemical characterization studies provide discharge capacity values of about 100 mAh g⁻¹ at C/5 rate, and there is a moderate decrease in capacity by increasing the rate of charge–discharge cycling. Studies also include charge–discharge cycling and ac impedance studies in temperature range from −10 to 40 °C. Impedance data are analyzed with the help of an equivalent circuit and a nonlinear least squares fitting program. From temperature dependence of charge-transfer resistance, a value of 0.62 eV is obtained for the activation energy of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox process, which accompanies the intercalation/deintercalation of the Li⁺ ion in LiMn₂O₄.     

Effect of MgF2 coating on the electrochemical performance of LiMn2O4 cathode materials

Spinel LiMn₂O₄ cathode materials were coated with 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0?wt.% of MgF₂ by precipitation, followed by heat treatment at 400?°C for 5?h in air. The effects of MgF₂ coating on the structural and electrochemical properties of LiMn₂O₄ cathodes were investigated using XRD, SEM, and electrochemical tests. XRD and SEM results show that no significant bulk structural differences are observed between the coated and pristine LiMn₂O₄. The charge–discharge tests show that the discharge capacity of LiMn₂O₄ decreases slightly, but the cyclability of LiMn₂O₄ is clearly improved when the amount of the MgF₂ coated was increased to 3.0?wt.%. The 3.0?wt.% MgF₂-coated LiMn₂O₄ exhibits capacity retention of 80.1 and 76.7 % after 100 cycles at room temperature (25?°C) and elevated temperature (55?°C) at a rate of 1?C, respectively, much higher than those of the bare LiMn₂O₄ (70.1 and 61.6 %). The improvement of electrochemical performance is attributed to the suppression of Mn dissolution into the electrolyte via the MgF₂ coating layer.     

Oxalic acid-assisted preparation of LiFePO4/C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

LiFePO₄/C composite is synthesized by oxalic acid-assisted rheological phase method. Fe₂O₃ and LiH₂PO₄ are chosen as the starting materials, sucrose as carbon sources, and oxalic acid as the additive. The crystalline structure and morphology of the products are characterized by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The charge–discharge kinetics of LiFePO₄ electrode is investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is found that the introduction of appropriate amount of oxalic acid leads to smaller particle sizes, more homogeneous size distribution, and some Fe₂P produced in the final products, resulting in reduced polarization, impedance, and improved Li⁺ ion diffusion coefficient. The best cell performance is delivered by the sample with R = 1.5 (R of the molar ratio of oxalic acid to LiH₂PO₄). Its discharge capacity is 154 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C rate and 120 mAh g⁻¹ at 5.0 C rate. At the same time, it exhibits an excellent cycling stability; no obvious decrease even after 1,000 cycles at 1.0 C rate.     

Electrochemical properties of LiFePO4/C synthesized using polypyrrole as carbon source

LiFePO₄/C composites were synthesized by pyrolysis of LiFePO₄/polypyrrole (PPy), which was obtained by an in situ chemical polymerization involving pyrrole monomer and hydrothermal synthesis LiFePO₄. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques. The results showed the LiFePO₄/C sintered at 800 °C containing 2.8 wt.% carbon exhibited a higher discharge capacity of 49.6 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, and bare LiFePO₄ only delivered 11.6 mAh·g⁻¹ in 2 M LiNO₃ aqueous electrolyte. The possible reason for the improvement of electrochemical performance was discussed and could be attributed to the formation of aromatic compounds during the carbonization of PPy.     

ZrO2- and Li2ZrO3-stabilized spinel and layered electrodes for lithium batteries

Strategies for countering the solubility of LiMn₂O₄ (spinel) electrodes at 50 °C and for suppressing the reactivity of layered LiMO₂ (M=Co, Ni, Mn, Li) electrodes at high potentials are discussed. Surface treatment of LiMn₂O₄ with colloidal zirconia (ZrO₂) dramatically improves the cycling stability of the spinel electrode at 50 °C in Li/LiMn₂O₄ cells. ZrO₂-coated LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ electrodes provide a superior capacity and cycling stability to uncoated electrodes when charged to a high potential (4.6 V vs Li⁰). The use of Li₂ZrO₃, which is structurally more compatible with spinel and layered electrodes than ZrO₂ and which can act as a Li⁺-ion conductor, has been evaluated in composite 0.03Li₂ZrO₃ · 0.97LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ electrodes; glassy Li_xZrO_2 + x/2 (0<x⩽2) products can be produced from colloidal ZrO₂ for surface coatings.     

The effect of nanolayer AlF<Subscript>3</Subscript> coating on LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cycle life in high temperature for lithium secondary batteries

The surface of the spinel LiMn₂O₄ was coated with AlF₃ by a chemical process to improve its electrochemical performance at high temperatures. The morphology and structure of the original and AlF₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM). All the samples exhibited a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities in the XRD patterns. It was found that the surfaces of the original LiMn₂O₄ samples were covered with a nanolayer AlF₃ after the treatment. The charge/discharge of the materials were carried at 220 mA/g in the range of 3.0 and 4.4 V at 55°C. While the original LiMn₂O₄ showed 17.8% capacity loss in 50 cycles at 55°C, the AlF₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ (118.1 mA h/g) showed only 3.4% loss of the initial capacity (122.3 mA h/g) at 55°C. It is obvious that the improvement in cycling performance of the coated-LiMn₂O₄ electrode at 55°C is attributed to the presence of AlF₃ on the surface of LiMn₂O₄. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 7, pp. 817–819. The article is published in the original     

Preparation and performance comparison of LiMn2O3.95Br0.05 and LiMn2O3.95Br0.05/SiO2 cathode materials for lithium-ion battery

LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05 and LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05/SiO₂ cathode composites for lithium-ion battery are prepared by solid-state reaction methods. The crystalline structures of the as-synthesized samples are investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope; at the same time, the electrochemical performances are tested by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. The results reveal that the sample of LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05/SiO₂ has more excellent electrochemical performance than the sample of LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 145.3 mA h g⁻¹ at ambient temperature, and 138.9 mA h g⁻¹ at the higher temperature of 55 °C with good capacity retention with the voltage range of 3.0–4.35 V (vs. Li) at a current density of 0.5 C; while the sample of LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05 only deliver initial discharge capacity 136.5 mA h g⁻¹ at ambient temperature, and 119.2 mA h g⁻¹ at 55 °C in the same conditions; in addition, the rate performance of LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05/SiO₂ is excellent too, so the SiO₂ layer has improved the electrochemical behaviors of LiMn₂O_3.95Br_0.05 availably.     

Chrysanthemum-like Co3O4 architectures: Hydrothermal synthesis and lithium storage performances

Three-dimensional chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ was prepared via a facile hydrothermal route without any template, and a subsequent calcination process. With a controlled concentration of the homogeneous precipitation agent, urea, a chrysanthemum-like precursor was hydrothermally obtained at 120 °C for 20 h, and the morphology was kept for Co₃O₄ after a subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 2 h. Co₃O₄ chrysanthemum-like architectures are assemblies of nanorods radiating from a common centre, and the nanorods consisted of interconnected nanoparticles with the size of about 30 nm. When tested as an anode material of Li-ion batteries, chrysanthemum-like Co₃O₄ presented a discharge capacity of ∼450 mA h/g after 50 discharge/charge cycles.     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na+离子掺杂的Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na+取代Li+进入Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_(0.97)Na_(0.03)Mn_2O_4在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn_2O_4从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na+离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li0.97Na0.03Mn2O4仍有79.0 m Ah·g-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 m Ah·g~(-1)。Na+离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn_2O_4的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li1-xNaxMn2O4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na⁺离子掺杂的Li_1-xNa_xMn₂O₄(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na⁺取代Li⁺进入Li_1-xNa_x Mn₂O₄晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn₂O₄从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na⁺离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄仍有79.0 mAh·g^-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 mAh·g^-1。Na⁺离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn₂O₄的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

Excellent cycling stability of spherical spinel LiMn2O4 by Y2O3 coating for lithium-ion batteries

The Y₂O₃ nano-film is coated on the surface of the spherical spinel LiMn₂O₄ by precipitation method and subsequent heat treatment at 550 °C for 5 h in air. The structure and performance of the bare LiMn₂O₄ and Y₂O₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis X-ray spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge–discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. It has been found that the addition of Y₂O₃ does not change the bulk structure of LiMn₂O₄, and the thickness of the Y₂O₃ coating layer is approximate to 3.0 nm. The 1 wt% Y₂O₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ electrode reveals excellent cycling performance with 80.3 % capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C at 25 °C. When cycling at elevated temperature 55 °C, the as-prepared sample still shows 76.7 % capacity retention after 500 cycles. These remarkable improvements indicate that thin Y₂O₃ coating on the surface of LiMn₂O₄ is an effective way to improve the electrochemistry performance. Besides, the suppression of Mn dissolution into the electrolyte via the Y₂O₃ coating layer can be accounted for the improved performances.     

Synthesis of Fe2+ Substituted High-Performance LiMn1−xFexPO4/C (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries via Sol-Gel Processes

A series of carbon-coated LiMn_1−xFe_xPO₄ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) materials are successfully constructed using glucose as carbon sources via sol-gel processes. The morphology of the synthesized material particles are more regular and particle sizes are more homogeneous. The carbon-coated LiMn_0.8Fe_0.2PO₄ material obtains the discharge specific capacity of 152.5 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C rate and its discharge specific capacity reaches 95.7 mAh·g⁻¹ at 5 C rate. Iron doping offers a viable way to improve the electronic conductivity and lattice defects of materials, as well as improving transmission kinetics, thereby improving the rate performance and cycle performance of materials, which is an effective method to promote the electrical properties.     

Cycling performance of LiNi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> prepared by the solid-state reaction

In order to improve the cycling performance of LiMn₂O₄, a part of Mn in LiMn₂O₄ was replaced by Ni. LiNi _y Mn_{2 − y} O₄ (y = 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were synthesized by preheating a mixture of LiOH, MnO₂ (CMD), and NiO at 400°C for 10 h and then calcining at 850°C for 48 h in air with intermediate grinding. The voltage vs. discharge capacity curves at a current density of 300 μA/cm² between 3.5 and 4.3 V showed two plateaus, but the plateaus became unclear as the value of y increased. The sample with y = 0.02 had the largest first discharge capacity of 118.1 mA h/g. The LiNi_0.10Mn_1.90O₄ sample had a relatively large first discharge capacity of 95.0 mA h/g and snowed an excellent cycling performance.     

松针状NiCo2O4@碳布复合材料在锂硫电池中的应用

以碳布（CC）作为柔性基底,采用水热法在其表面原位生长松针状网络结构NiCo₂O₄,制得NiCo₂O₄@CC复合材料,并应用于锂硫电池。NiCo₂O₄在碳纤维表面竖直生长形成三维纳米针簇网络,为硫的存储提供更多的空间,有效缓解硫电极的体积膨胀。通过吸附实验,证明了NiCo₂O₄@CC能有效吸附多硫化物,从而抑制多硫化物的穿梭效应。与CC/S相比（933 mAh·g^-1）,NiCo₂O₄@CC/S复合材料用于锂硫电池具有更优异的电池性能,在0.1C下初始放电比容量高达1 467 mAh·g^-1,在0.2C下初始放电比容量为1 098 mAh·g^-1,经200次循环后,放电比容量仍然保持在879 mAh·g^-1,平均每圈衰减率为0.09%,表现出良好的循环性能。     

Structure and electrochemical performances of co-substituted LiSm x La0.2-x Mn1.80O4 cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Spinel LiMn₂O₄ and Sm, La co-substituted LiSm _x La_0.2-x Mn_1.80O₄ (x?=?0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) cathode materials were synthesized by sol–gel method using aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and tartaric acid as chelating agent at 600 °C for 10 h. The structure and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized by using thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies. XRD analysis indicated that all the prepared samples were mainly belong to cubic crystal form with Fd3m space group. LiSm_0.10La_0.10Mn_1.80O₄ exhibits capacity retention of 90 % and 82 % after 100 cycles at room temperature (30 °C) and at elevated temperature (50 °C) at a rate of 0.5-C, respectively, much higher than those of the pristine LiMn₂O₄ (74 % and 60 %). Among all the compositions, LiSm_0.10La_0.10Mn_1.80O₄ cathode has improved the structural stability, high-capacity retention, better elevated temperature performance and excellent electrochemical performances of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.     

Low-temperature behavior of Li3V2(PO4)3/C as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

The electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C was investigated at various low temperatures in the electrolyte 1.0 mol dm⁻³ LiPF₆/ethyl carbonate (EC)+diethyl carbonate (DEC)+dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (volume ratio 1:1:1). The stable specific discharge capacity is 125.4, 122.6, 119.3, 116.6, 111.4, and 105.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 26, 10, 0, −10, −20, and −30 °C, respectively, in the voltage range of 2.3–4.5 V at 0.2 C rate. When the temperature decreases from −30 to −40 °C, there is a rapid decline in the capacity from 105.7 to 69.5 mAh g⁻¹, implying that there is a nonlinear relationship between the performance and temperature. With temperature decreasing, R _ct (corresponding to charge transfer resistance) increases rapidly, D (the lithium ion diffusion coefficients) decreases sharply, and the performance of electrolyte degenerates obviously, illustrating that the low-temperature electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C is mainly limited by R _ct, D _Li, and electrolyte.     

Li0.93[Li0.21Co0.28Mn0.51]O2 nanoparticles for lithium battery cathode material made by cationic exchange from K-birnessite

Li_0.93[Li_0.21Co_0.28Mn _0.51]O₂ nanoparticles with an R-3m space group is hydrothermally prepared from Co_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ obtained from an ion-exchange reaction with K-birnessite K_0.32MnO₂ at 200 °C. Even at a hydrothermal reaction temperature of 150 °C, the spinel (Fd3m) phase is dominant, and a layered phase became dominant by combining an increase in the temperature to 200 °C with an increase in lithium concentration. The as-prepared cathode particle has plate-like hexagonal morphology with a size of 100 nm and thickness of 20 nm. The first discharge capacity of the cathode is 258 mAh/g with an irreversible capacity ratio of 22%, and the capacity retention after 30 cycles is 95% without developing a plateau at ∼3 V. Capacity retention of the cathode discharge is 84% at 4C rate (=1000 mA/g) and shows full capacity recovery when decreasing the C rate to 0.1 C.