Template Free Facile Molten Synthesis and Energy Storage Studies on MCo2O4 (M = Mg, Mn) as Anode for Li-Ion Batteries

Spinel MCo2O4 (M = Mg, Mn) materials were synthesized using a template free molten salt method with various precursor salts. Powder X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were carried out to characterize the phase, structure, and morphology of the compounds. Electrochemical cycling was carried out between voltages 0.005 and 3.0 V was carried out on button cells. At the end of cycling using 60 mA g(-1), Mg Co2O4 showed reversible capacity of 816 (+/- 5) mAh after 50 cycles and MnCo2O4 showed a capacity fading of only 4% after 45 cycles retaining a capacity of 863 (5) mAh g(-1). In addition, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out on select cycles to study the electrode kinetics.