High-performance carbon-coated mesoporous LiMn2O4 cathode materials synthesized from a novel hydrated layered-spinel lithium manganate composite

Carbon-coated mesoporous spinel LiMn2O4 has been synthesized from a novel hydrated layered-spinel lithium manganate composite through a facile hydrothermal process and subsequent thermal treatment. Benefiting from the carbon coating and mesoporous structure, the LiMn2O4 material exhibits superior high-rate capability and long-life cycling stability, delivering the initial discharge capacity of 117.8 mA h g(-1) at 30C with over 90% capacity retention after 1500 cycles. Moreover, the innovative employment of hydrated layered Li-deficient and spinel Li-rich intermediates might provide greater inspiration for other high-performance electrode materials with multiple layer architectures and optimized phase compositions.