Hydrothermal synthesis of the Li2MnSiO4/C nanocomposite as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

•The Li2MnSiO4/C nanocomposite is synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction.•The typical size of Li2MnSiO4 nanoparticles is in the range of 50–100 nm.•The capacity retention and the rate performance of the Li2MnSiO4/C nanocomposite are greatly improved.

The Li2MnSiO4/C nanocomposite is successfully synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 150 °C for 48 h and then annealed at 650 °C in the presence of citric acid. Interestingly, the hydrothermal synthesized Li2MnSiO4 shows a shuttle-like shape, which is composed of primary particles with average size of 50–100 nm. After carbon coating, these nanoparticles are separated from the secondary particles, and the thickness of carbon layer is about 2–4 nm. The Li2MnSiO4/C nanocomposite delivers an improved high electronic conductivity and an enhanced electrochemical behavior.