Double Flame-Fabricated High-Performance AlPO₄/LiMn₂O₄ Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄, LMO) spinel is a cost-effective and high-performance cathode material for Li-ion batteries.
• Commercialization of LMO is hindered by rapid capacity fading during electrochemical cycling.
• Nanostructured LMO offers potential for enhanced electrochemical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize phase-pure, nanoscale LiMn₂O₄ using flame spray pyrolysis.
• To improve the electrochemical stability and capacity retention of LiMn₂O₄ by incorporating aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄).
• To investigate the effect of different AlPO₄ percentages on the performance of LiMn₂O₄.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 16 precursor-solvent combinations for single flame spray pyrolysis to synthesize nanoscale LMO.
• Homogeneous mixing of LMO with varying percentages of AlPO₄ using multiple flame sprays.
• Structural and morphological characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD); electrochemical performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• Phase-pure nanoscale LMO was successfully synthesized.
• LMO nanoparticles (17.8 nm) exhibited an initial capacity of 111.4 mA h g⁻¹ and 88% retention after 100 cycles.
• Incorporation of 1% AlPO₄ enhanced initial capacity to 116.1 mA h g⁻¹ and capacity retention to 93%.

Conclusions:

• Flame spray pyrolysis is an effective method for producing phase-pure nanoscale LMO.
• Homogeneous mixing with AlPO₄ significantly mitigates capacity fading in LMO cathodes.
• 1% AlPO₄ addition represents an optimal composition for improved electrochemical performance in Li-ion batteries.