Freeze drying synthesis of Li3MnO4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries: A physico-electrochemical study

Abstract

Li3MnO4, a lithium rich phase containing manganese (V), is a promising cathode material for Li-ion batteries due to its very high theoretical capacity (698Ahkg−1). Li3MnO4 was synthesized from freeze dried precursors at 398K. Combined structural, morphological and chemical characterization by XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM and XPS revealed improvements in the micro- and nanostructure in comparison to the material synthesized by a standard solid state chemistry route. The average particle size decreased from 10μm to 3.5μm and the average crystallite size from close to 100nm to around 30nm. These modifications enhanced the capacity (23% at 10Akg−1 and up to 31% at 50Akg−1 with a maximum discharge capacity of 290Ahkg−1) and the rate capability.