Investigation the improvement of high voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material by anneal process for lithium ion batteries

The spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) has been attracted great attention as lithium ion cathode material due to its high voltage and large energy density. However, the practical application of LNMO is still limited by poor cycling stability. Herein, to improve the cycling stability of spinel LNMO, it was treated with anneal process at 900 degrees C for 2 h after prepared by traditional solid-state method (LNMO-A). LNMO-A sample presented better electrochemical property especially under high rate, with capacity of 91.2 mAh g(-1) after 1000 cycles under 10 C. Its superior electrochemical property was ascribed to the anneal process, resulting a stable crystal structure, indicated by XRD and Raman results of electrodes after 1000 cycles under 10 C and the longer solid-solution reaction, revealed by in-situ XRD. In addition, the optimized particle size, micro morphology and the larger BET area surface induced by the recrystallization in anneal process also contributes to its superior electro-chemical property. What's more, the thin layer, which interacted LNMO-A particles with each other, induced by particles remelting in anneal process is also beneficial for its excellent electrochemical property. This study not only improved the electrochemical properties by anneal process, but also revealed the origins and mechanisms for its improvement. (C) 2020, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.

Automated summary

Annealing treatment improves the cycling stability and electrochemical properties of LNMO, resulting in better capacity retention and longer solid-solution reaction. Factors such as recrystallization, optimized particle size and morphology, and thin layer interaction induced by annealing contribute to the superior performance of LNMO.