Facile synthesis and electrochemical performance of ordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods as a high power positive electrode for rechargeable Li-ion batteries

One-dimensional ordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods have been fabricated and investigated for use as a high power cathode in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. These highly crystalline nanorods, with an ordered spinel structure and diameters and lengths around 130 nm and 1.2 μm, respectively, were synthesized in two steps by using a hydrothermal reaction to produce β-MnO2 nanorods followed by solid-state lithiation. Electrochemical analysis showed the superior performance of nanorods as a cathode in Li-ion half cells. The specific charge and discharge capacities were found to be 120 and 116 mAh g−1 at a 0.5 C rate, and 114 and 111 mAh g−1 at a 1 C rate between 3.5 and 5.0 V vs. Li+/Li. Moreover, the nanorods exhibit high power capability, maintaining capacities of 103 and 95 mAh g−1 at specific currents of 732.5 and 1465 mA g−1 (5 and 10 C rates), respectively.

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► Ordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanorods are prepared by a two step easy to scale up route.
► Nanorod diameters and lengths are around 130 nm and 1.2 μm, respectively.
► Nanorods exhibit 103 and 95 mAh g−1 at the current rate of 5 C and 10 C, respectively.
► The designed morphology improves the kinetic properties of the ordered structure.
► After 90 cycles at different rates, the capacity retention is 98%.