文摘
Among several materials (transition metal oxide) under development for use as a cathode in lithium-ion batteries, cubic spinel LiMn2O4 is one of the most promising cathode materials. In this study, the sea urchin-like LiMn2O4 hollow macrospheres were synthesized by using sea urchin-like α-MnO2 precursors through solid-state in situ self-sacrificing conversion route. The as-prepared LiMn2O4 was assembled by many single-crystalline “thorns-of ca.10-0?nm in diameter and ca. 400-00?nm in length. Galvanostatic battery testing showed that sea urchin-like LiMn2O4 had an initial discharge capacity of 126.8?mAh/g at the rate of 0.2?C in the potential range between 3.0 and 4.5?V. More than 96.67?% of the initial discharge capacity was maintained for over 50?cycles. The improved electrochemical properties were attributed to the reduced particle size and enhanced electrical contacts by the materials. This particular sea urchin-like structured composite conceptually provides a new strategy for designing electrodes in energy storage applications.