The spinel phase LiMnTiO4 as a potential cathode for rechargeable lithium ion batteries

Spinel LiMnTiO4 as the cathode material for Li-ion batteries has been synthesized by a sol–gel method. The LiMnTiO4 cathode possesses two voltage plateaus, and exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 203.3 mAh g−1. After 47 charge–discharge cycles, the capacity retention of the LiMnTiO4 cathode is 77.5 %, which is much higher than that of LiMn2O4 (47.9 %). Ti substitution can successfully suppress the formation of tetragonal phase during cycling and hence increase the structural stability; however, it decreases the discharge capacity. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were mechanically milled with the pristine LiMnTiO4. The as-prepared LiMnTiO4/MWCNTs composite electrode exhibits significantly improved electrochemical properties including rate capability and cycling stability, as compared with LiMnTiO4.