High-rate performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.45Al0.05O4 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

This paper presents an effective approach to improve the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 as cathode material for Li-ion batteries, including Al doping in Mn-site, combined with the spray drying method in which soluble starch is added as a cheap and environmentally friendly template agent. The as-prepared LiNi0.5Mn1.45Al0.05O4 material exhibits high crystallinity and excellent electrochemical performances. In detail, its delivers a reversible capacity of 114 mA h g−1 at 1 C in a voltage range of 3.5–4.95 V after 200 cycles, with a capacity retention of 94.4%. It still delivers reversible capacity of 73 mA h g−1 even at a high rate of 20 C. The superior electrochemical properties of LiNi0.5Mn1.45Al0.05O4 root from the disordered spinel structure for enhanced stability and Al doping for improved Li-ion diffusion.