Synthesis And Characterization Of Promising Cathode Materials (Linixmn2-Xo4) For Lithium Ion Battery

Abstract

In this study, we have synthesized LiNixMn2-xO4 (x=0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5) cathode materials for Li-ion battery using metal nitrates and urea as precursors by solution combustion method. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results. X-Ray diffraction characterization demonstrated that a basic crystallized spinel phase was already formed in the primary product from the direct combustion process, while pure phase LiMn2O4 was obtained after further calcination in air at relatively low temperature of 600 ℃. The scanning electro-microscopy (SEM) analyzed the spinels revealed essentially spherical morphology. The Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed that the mass loss curve exhibited a continuous decrease of mass with temperature. The electrochemical performance of all the cathode samples prepared using the solution combustion method is comparable to those reported for Nickel-doped LiMn2O4 spinel cathode materials. As a result, the as-prepared LiMn2O4 showed a favorable capacity of 114 mAh/g at a current rate of 0.2C and still retained a capacity of 84 mAh/g at 5 C. After 100 continuous cycles at 0.1C, a capacity of 108 mAh/g was still maintained, compared to 120 mAh/g at the first cycle. The results demonstrated that combustion synthesis-derive LiMn2O4 is a promising cathode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs).