Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of nanosized LiMn2O4 as cathode material for rechargeable hybrid aqueous batteries

Single phase cubic spinet LiMn2O4 nanosized particles are synthesized by a novel solution-mediated solid state method. The obtained LiMn2O4 nanoparticles have a narrow particle size distribution in a range from 100 to 300 nm. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests of the LiMn2O4 samples are performed in an aqueous solution of lithium and zinc acetates, using zinc as anode. Cells containing nanosized LiMn2O4 cathodes have higher specific discharge capacity, coulombic efficiency, better cyclability and rate capability than the cells containing conventional bulk LiMn2O4. The superior electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the much smaller particle size and less agglomeration, which not only shorten the diffusion pathway for electrons and lithium ions but also provide a larger specific surface area for lithium transportation during high C-rate charge-discharge cycling. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.