Synthesis of lithium manganese oxide nanocomposites using microwave-assisted chemical precipitation technique and their performance evaluation in lithium-ion batteries

Lithium manganese oxide (LMO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were used to develop nanocomposites using a microwave-assisted chemical precipitation method and characterized using various techniques. The process provides better control over morphological features and proficient choice of cost-effective precursors. This research aims to increase the active surface area and the number of lithium-ion (Li+) intercalation sites using the CNTs and GNPs in LMO to improve its electrochemical performance. The structural analysis shows that the average crystallite size is 50nm without using any capping agent during the synthesis process, which is smaller when compared to pristine LMO. The electrochemical studies demonstrate that the incorporation of carbon nanostructures (CNTs and GNPs) boosts the rate capabilities and cyclic performance of LMO. The LMO-CNTs and LMO-GNPs have an excellent rate capability of 124 and 127mAhg(-1) at 0.1C, sustained at 115.6 and 118.5 mAhg(-1) at 10C, respectively. Cycling efficiency is also improved, with LMO-CNTs and LMO-GNPs having an initial capacity of 124 and 127mAhg(-1) decreasing to 112 and 114mAhg(-1), respectively, after 50cycles. Compared to pure LMO, the increased electrochemical performance of LMO nanocomposites is due to the introduction of carbon nanostructures (CNTs and GNPs).