Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of High-Voltage Nanostructured LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 Spinel: Tuning the Mn3+ Content and Electrochemical Performance

The LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel is an important lithium ion battery cathode material that has continued to receive major research attention because of its high operating voltage (similar to 4.8 V). This study interrogates the impact of microwave irradiation on the Mn3+ concentration and electrochemistry of the LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel. It is shown that microwave is capable of tuning the Mn3+ content of the spinel for enhanced electrochemical performance (high capacity, high capacity retention, excellent rate capability, and fast Li+ insertion/extraction kinetics). This finding promises to revolutionize the application of microwave irradiation for improved performance of the LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel, especially in high rate applications.