Solution-combustion synthesized aluminium-doped spinel (LiAl(subx)Mn(sub2-x)O(sub4) as a high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode material

Abstract

High-performing (LiAl(subx)Mn(sub2-x)O(sub4) (x = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5) spinel cathode materials for lithium-ion battery were developed using a solution combustion method. The as-synthesized cathode materials have spinel cubic structure of LiMn2O4 without any impurity peak and accompanied with peak shift as doping with aluminium. LiAl(sub0.375) Mn(sub1.625)O(sub4) (first cycle capacity = 113.1 mAh g(sup-1) retains 85 % (96.2 mAh g(sup-1), while pristine LiMn(sub2)O(sub4) electrode (first cycle capacity = 135.8 mAh g(sup-1) fades quickly and retains only 54 % (73.9 mAh g(sup-1) after 50 cycles. The electrochemical performance of all the cathode samples prepared using the SCM is comparable to those reported for Al-doped LiMn2O4 spinel cathode materials. The experimental lattice parameter of (LiAl(subx)Mn(sub2-x)O(sub4) was validated by ab initio calculations and correlated with the first cycle capacity of materials. The variation in lattice parameter as a result of Al doping greatly enhanced the cyclability of discharge capacity of the LiMn2O4 spinel.