LiMn2O4 Nanorods, Nanothorn Microspheres, and Hollow Nanospheres as Enhanced Cathode Materials of Lithium Ion Battery

Nanostructured lithium intercalated compound has been demonstrated to be the most promising approach to improve the powder density of lithium ion batteries because of it providing a relatively short Li ion diffusion path. While the conventional nanostructured LiMn 2 O 4, typically prepared at low temperatures, were almost all polycrystalline and low crystallinity, which would impair the stability of the crystallographic structure and charge−discharge cycling ability of LiMn 2 O 4 . In this paper, we systematically describe a topochemical method for successful synthesis of LiMn 2 O 4 nanorods, nanothorn microspheres, and hollow nanospheres, and their electrochemical lithium insertion/desertion properties are extensively studied. We also investigated the effects of particle size, morphology, synthesis method, and crystal structure on the electrochemical properties of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 . The method described in the present work may assist in the design of novel nanostructured materials for application in a lithium ion battery.