Comprehensive utilization of metallurgic waste in manganese electrowinning: Towards high performance LiMn2O4

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the synthesis of spinel LiMn2O4 using by-products of the electrolytic manganese through solid state reaction. LiMn2O4 synthesized through by-products from coated titanium anodes exhibits a special biscuit-like hierarchical micro/nano structure and excellent electrochemical performance. When used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries, it delivers an initial discharge capacity of 119.1 mA h g−1 at 14.8 mA g−1, and high reversible discharge capacities of 94.1 mA h g−1 and 75.4 mA h g−1 can be maintained when the current density reach 740 and 1480 mA g−1. High capacity retention of about 90% can be also achieved after 200 cycles in the potential range of 3–4.3 V at 148 mA g−1. The electrochemical performance is much superior to that of the counterpart sample synthesized by conventional electrolytic manganese dioxide which can be ascribed to the unique hierarchical micro/nano architecture. However, on the other side, LiMn2O4 synthesized by Pb anode slime suffer from poor electrochemical performance due to the inevitable Pb issue and other relevant impurities. These results may open up a new gate for the further application of by-product of electrolytic manganese.