Freeze drying synthesis of Li3MnO4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries: A physico-electrochemical study

Li3MnO4, a lithium rich phase containing manganese (V), is a promising cathode material for Li-ion batteries due to its very high theoretical capacity (698 A h kg(-1)). Li3MnO4 was synthesized from freeze dried precursors at 398 K. Combined structural, morphological and chemical characterization by XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM and XPS revealed improvements in the micro- and nanostructure in comparison to the material synthesized by a standard solid state chemistry route. The average particle size decreased from 10 gm to 3.5 mu m and the average crystallite size from close to 100 nm to around 30 nm. These modifications enhanced the capacity (23% at 10 A kg(-1) and up to 31% at 50 A kg(-1) with a maximum discharge capacity of 290 A h kg(-1)) and the rate capability. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.