Preparation and Characterization of High-Voltage Cathode Material LiNi<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

High energy density and rechargeable lithium ion batteries are attracting widely interest in renewable energy fields. The preparation of the high performance materials for electrodes has been regarded as the most challenging and innovative aspect. By utilizing a facile combustion synthesis method, pure nanostructure LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material for lithium ion batteries were successfully fabricated. The crystal phase of the samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, and micro-morphology as well as electrochemistry properties were also evaluated using FE-SEM, electrochemical charge-discharge test. The result shows the fabricated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode materials had outstanding crystallinity and near-spherical morphologies. That obtained LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 samples delivered an initial discharge capacity of 137.2 mAhg-1 at the 0.1 C together with excellent cycling stability and rate capability as positive electrodes in a lithium cell. The superior electrochemical performance of the as-prepared samples are owing to nanostructure particles possessing the shorter diffusion path for Li+ transport, and the nanostructure lead to large contact area to effectively improve the charge/discharge properties and the rate property. It is demonstrated that the as-prepared nanostructure LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 samples have potential as cathode materials of lithium-ion battery for future new energy vehicles.