Study of capacitive properties for LT-Li4Mn5O12 in hybrid supercapacitor

Spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ nanoparticles have been prepared by a very simple sol–gel method. Various initial conditions were studied in order to find the optimal conditions for the synthesis of pure Li₄Mn₅O₁₂. X-ray diffraction results showed that spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ was obtained at a low temperature of 300 °C without any miscellaneous phase. Scanning electron microscope analyses indicated that the prepared Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ powders had a uniform morphology with average particle size of about 50 and 100 nm. The prepared sample was firstly used as a cathode material in an asymmetric Li₄Mn₅O₁₂/AC supercapacitor in aqueous electrolyte. The capacitive properties of the hybrid supercapacitor were tested by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. The results showed that Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ annealed at 450 °C for 4 h exhibited the best electrochemical capacitive performance within the potential range of 0–1.4 V in 1 M Li₂SO₄ solution. A maximum specific capacitance of 43 F g⁻¹ based on the total active material weight of the two electrodes was obtained for the Li₄Mn₅O₁₂/AC supercapacitor at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. The capacitor showed excellent cycling performance and structure stability via 1,000 cycles.