LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 hierarchical nanorods as high-capacity cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 nanorods (LNMO-NRs) stacked with nanoparticles have been prepared and investigated as cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The LNMO NRs were obtained through solid-state Li and Ni implantation of α-MnO2 nanotubes. Without surface modification, the as synthesized LNMO NRs exhibited superior high-capacity compared to the bulk samples. An initial discharge capacity of 172 mAh g−1 could be delivered at 0.2 C and about 88% capacity retention could be achieved after 100 cycles. The remarkable performance was attributed to the one-dimensional structure assembled with nanoparticles that shows fast Li-intercalation kinetics and high structural stability.