LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays: A potential three-dimensional cathode for lithium-ion microbatteries

•Self-supported LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays are prepared on the Pt substrates.•LiMn2O4 nanorod array cathode exhibits a large areal capacity of 0.25 mAh cm−2.•LiMn2O4 nanorod array cathode exhibits good cycle performance and rate capability.•LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays are potential cathodes for 3D microbatteries.

Although three-dimensional (3D) microbatteries represent great advantage compared to their two-dimensional counterparts, the fabrication of 3D cathode is still a challenge, which holds back the further development of 3D microbatteries. In this work, we present a novel approach for fabrication of LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays as 3D cathode for microbatteries. α-MnO2 nanotube arrays are firstly grown on the Pt substrate as the template, and LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays are then prepared by lithiation of α-MnO2 nanotube arrays in molten salt followed by 800 °C annealing in air. In the half cell test, the 3D LiMn2O4 nanorod arrays exhibit both high gravimetric capacity (∼130 mAh g−1) and areal capacity (∼0.25 mAh cm−2), while maintaining good cycling stability and rate capability. The facile synthesis and superior electrochemical performance of the three-dimensional LiMn2O4 cathode make it promising for application in microbatteries.

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