Aerosol construction of multi-shelled LiMn2O4 hollow microspheres as a cathode in lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Advanced cathode materials with optimal balanced pore structures and tap densities have attracted much attention for use the of next generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, multi-shelled LiMn₂O₄ hollow microspheres (named ms-LMO HMs) have been successfully prepared by a facile aerosol spray pyrolysis route through the controlled combustion of carbon species. The obtained microspheres, with diameters of 0.5–2 μm, are assembled from nanosized LiMn₂O₄ particles (10–30 nm) and exhibit intriguing hollow structures with multishells. When used as cathode materials in LIBs, ms-LMO HMs show a superior specific capacity of 110 mA h g⁻¹ with 400 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹, as well as a good rate capacity. This is mainly owing to the multilevel voids, porous internal/external shells and nanosized particles for facile wetting of the electrode and electrolyte and a facilitated Li⁺ ion diffusion pathway.