Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of multi-cations doped spinel LiMn2O4 used for lithium ion batteries

Homogeneous substitution of Cu(II), Al(III) and Ti(IV) for Mn in the spinel Li[Mn2]O4 is synthesized by lactic-acid assisted Pechini method. Galvanostatic charge–discharge between 3.5 and 4.3 V (versus Li+/Li) at C/2 rate shows that the multi-cations doped spinel exhibits initial discharge capacity of 134 mAh g−1 with a 97% capacity retention after 400 cycles at room temperature. When cycling at 55 °C, the doped sample shows 91% capacity retention after 50 cycles compared to 70% retention for the undoped sample. As the charge–discharge rate increases to 12C, the doped sample delivers capacity of 111 mAh g−1, which is much higher than that of the undoped sample of only 84 mAh g−1. Moreover, as the charge–discharge rate returns from 12C to C/2, the discharge capacity of the doped electrode recovers nearly completely while the undoped sample lost more than 7% of its capacity.

► The homogeneous substitution of multi-cations for Mn in the spinel Li[Mn2]O4 is synthesized by lactic-acid assisted Pechini method.
► The multi-cations doped spinel exhibits improved cycling performance at both 25 °C and 55 °C.
► The doped spinel exhibits enhanced rate capability.