Electrochemical performance of single crystalline spinel LiMn2O4 nanowires in an aqueous LiNO3 solution

Single crystalline cubic spinel LiMn2O4 nanowires were synthesized by hydrothermal method and the precursor calcinations. The phase structures and morphologies were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Galvanostatic charging/discharging cycles of as-prepared LiMn2O4 nanowires were performed in an aqueous LiNO3 solution. The initial discharge capacity of LiMn2O4 nanowires was 110 mAh g−1, and the discharge capacity was still above 100 mAh g−1 after 56 cycles at 10C-rate, and then 72 mAh g−1 was registered after 130 cycles. This is the first report of a successful use of single crystalline spinel LiMn2O4 nanowire as cathode material for the aqueous rechargeable lithium battery (ARLB).

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► In this paper, the electrochemical performance of a new intercalate electrode material, LiMn2O4 single crystalline nanowires, in an aqueous LiNO3 solution is first studied by galvanostatic cycling.
► In addition, this ARLB is principally safe and environment friendly.
► It exhibits good cycling stability and especially it is beneficial to a high power lithium-ion battery due to its good electrochemical performance at the high C-rate.
► Therefore, it appears great potential for applications in large-scale devices comparing with other batteries such as lead acid batteries and alkaline manganese batteries.