Combustion-synthesized LixMn2O4-based spinel nanorods as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this work we report the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of Li-Mn spinel-based cathode nanostructures in comparison with the corresponding commercial powder. Well dispersed nanorods (diameter of 17-32 nm and average length of 150 nm) are formed in the case of pure Li1.276Mn2O4, which result in better electrochemical performance compared with the bulk commercial electrode of lithium ion batteries. Modifications of the structure via substitution with Cu and Al ions at the octahedral sites further improve the insertion/extraction process of lithium cation, especially in the case of Li1.068Al0.099Mn1.901O4. Long term stability test at different charge/discharge rates show that this nanostructure has the highest electrochemical reversibility (similar to 11.5% capacity loss) among the samples studied followed by Li1.281Cu0.086Mn1.914O4 (similar to 22.5% capacity loss), While the nanostructured Li1.276Mn2O4 and the commercial LiMn2O4 spinel have similar to 28.4% and 32.4% capacity loss, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.