Hydrothermal Synthesis of a Nanosized LiNi[sub 0.5]Mn[sub 1.5]O[sub 4] Cathode Material for High Power Lithium-Ion Batteries

A material for use as a spinel cathode for lithium-ion batteries was synthesized for the first time using a hydrothermal approach. The effects of the LiOH concentration and hydrothermal temperature on the hydrothermal products were investigated systematically, where the LiOH concentration (e.g., ) was proven critical to successfully synthesize the spinel. At low LiOH concentrations (e.g., ), the obtained products may be MnOOH, , and spinel, while high concentrations (e.g., ) favor the phase. The particle size of the as-prepared spinel is ca. , and its formation is associated with the dissolution-recrystallization mechanism from an amorphous precursor. Cell tests show that the as-prepared material obtained at exhibits a capacity of ca. at a current density of , where ca. above . Such a material shows an excellent rate capability with a capacity of ca. delivered at , 73% of that obtained at .