One step crystallization synthesis of battery grade Mn3O4 for high performance LiMn2O4 cathodes
摘要
Tuning the properties of precursor materials is essential for unlocking the full potential of lithium-ion battery cathodes. Herein, a one step crystallization strategy for synthesizing battery-grade Mn3O4 directly from manganese sulfate is reported. Mn3O4 with high tap density and controllable particle size was prepared through the facile and efficient process. The resulting material exhibited a median particle size of 10 μm, a remarkably high tap density of 2.75 g·cm− 3, and a low specific surface area of 0.389 m2·g− 1. Furthermore, the D50 was reduced to 6 μm while maintaining an excellent tap density of 2.61 g·cm− 3 and a low specific surface area of 0.574 m2·g− 1 by stabilizing the pH at 7.25 during the synthesis. When used as precursors, Mn3O4 particles of 6 μm and 10 μm led to LiMn2O4 cathodes with distinct electrochemical performance: LMO-6 demonstrated superior rate capability, with discharge capacities of 129.01, 125.94, and 122.69 mAh·g− 1 at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 C, respectively. In contrast, LMO-10 showed outstanding cycle stability, maintaining a capacity retention of 90.58% after 300 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a facile and efficient route for tailoring Mn3O4 precursors to design LiMn2O4 cathodes.