ABSTRACT
MnO2 nanorods are prepared using a hydrothermal method, and used as precursors for the synthesis of LiMn2O4 nanorod-based active material for the cathode of lithium-ion batteries. The effects of additives, pressure, reactant concentration in the solution, and reaction time during the hydrothermal synthesis on the morphology of MnO2 are examined. For the synthesis of the LiMn2O4 nanorods, two synthetic methods, hydrothermal processing of the MnO2 precursor in a Li-containing solution, and the solid-state reaction of the precursor with LiOH·H2O powder are tested. The morphological and electrochemical properties of the resulting materials are then analyzed. The rate and cycle performances of the LiMn2O4 nanorods are considerably improved by a composite coating of Li-ion-conductive Li2O-2B2O3 and electrically conductive carbon. Because the conductive properties of these coating materials can be obtained with low crystallinity of them, superior coating performance is attainable with relatively low-temperature of after heating, which is advantageous in preserving the morphology of LiMn2O4 nanorods.
