Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of a Homogenously Dispersed LiaMn2-x-y- ZFexCoyNizO4-dCld Lithium Ion Battery Cathode Material
Lithium manganese oxide spinels are attractive materials for lithium-ion battery cathodes due to their capability for high voltage application paired with a three-dimensional conductive pathway that can allow for improved lithium insertion and deinsertion kinetics. However, this material suffers from limited cyclability as a result of the energy barriers for removing lithium from the octahedral sites and capacity fading as a result of manganese dissociation. This work incorporates a multiple doping strategy for selecting capacity distribution across various voltage regimes. The resulting electrochemical cells are able to produce useful capacity at 5.2 V, 4.7 V, 4.1 V, and 2.75 V. Additionally, materials synthesized in a laboratory setting and via large scale production via licensing with no cobalt content has resulted in capacities exceeding 200 mAh/g. These materials achieve 75% capacity retention at 3C vs. C/10 discharge down to 2.75 V.