Synthesis of single-crystalline LiMn2O4 and LiMn 1.5Ni0.5O4 nanocrystals and their lithium storage properties

摘要

During the past decade, great efforts have been devoted to the development of new materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) that possess high specific capacities and good cycling stabilities.1 Among the many candidates, spinel LiMn2O4 and LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 are considered to be promising as cathode materials because of their low cost, environmental friendliness, and natural abundance.2 To improve the electrochemical performance, such as high rate capability and long cycling life, the use of nanostructured electrode materials have been actively pursued. This type of material leads to large electrode/electrolyte interface and shorter Li+ diffusion path length.3 Although there are some works reporting the synthesis of LiMn2O4 nanocrystals,4 the particles size is typically in the range of 100 to 300?nm, and agglomeration of the particles is inevitable during the required high-temperature calcination process.