Synthesis of LiMn2O4 with Outstanding Lithium-Insertion Kinetics and Long-Term Stability

A simple route for the synthesis of LiMn2O4 (LMO) at low calcination temperatures is proposed. The calcination temperature is known to influence the structure and surface morphology of LMO; therefore, materials synthesized at different temperatures are characterized by using different techniques. A correlation between the calcination temperature and the structure and surface morphology of the material is shown. The synthesis route described here works at low calcination temperatures (650 degrees C), which leads to LMO that has an excellent rate performance (110 mAh g(-1)) at a charge/discharge rate of 100 C, and avoids cation mixing, manganese dissolution, and Jahn-Teller distortion. The obtained morphology of octahedrons showing primarily (111) planes, ensures excellent electrochemical performance and stability.