Synthesis of the Micro-Spherical LiMn(2-x)Co(x)O4 as Cathode Material of Lithium Batteries

Spherical Mn3O4 has been successfully synthesized by a controlled crystallization method. Then, micro-spherical particle of and LiMn(2-x)Co(x)O4 (X = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) were synthesized by using the as-prepared spherical Mn3O4Co3O4 and Li2CO3 as raw materials. The influences of Co doping on the structure, morphology and electrochemical performance were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and charge-discharge test. As a result, there is little difference between LiMn2O4 and Co-doped samples in structure and morphology. But Co doping has improved the cycle performance. LiMn1.97Co0.02O4 has an initial discharge specific capacity of 116.8 mA h/g at discharge current of 296 mA/g between 3 and 4.3 V, and retains 106.3 mA h/g after 350 cycles. The capacity retention at 55 degrees C is 91.52% after 100 cycles.