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Title: Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering

Abstract

High-voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is a promising cathode material for high-energy-density and high-power-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The high cost of the currently available LIBs needs to be addressed urgently for wide application in the transport sector (electric vehicles, buses) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESS). Of significance, herein, novel fast and scalable microwave-assisted synthesis of LNMO is reported, which leads to a production cost cut. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of the desired phase with high crystallinity. Field emission scanning (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that the synthesized phase is of nanometric size (50–150 nm) due to an extremely short sintering time (20 min). The material synthesized at 750 °C shows a higher initial discharge capacity (130 mA h g-1) than that synthesized at 650 °C (115 mA h g-1). The materials heat treated at higher temperatures show better electrochemical performance in terms of initial capacity, rate capability, and improved cycling. The improved electrochemical performance of LNMO at 750 °C is attributed to the formation of a stable crystal structure, low charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface, high electrical conductivity due to the presence of a disorder structure, and improved ionic diffusivity.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [2]; ORCiD logo [1];  [3];  [1];  [4];  [4];  [3]
  1. Qatar Univ., Doha (Qatar). Center for Advanced Materials (CAM)
  2. Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha (Qatar). Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute
  3. Qatar Univ., Doha (Qatar)
  4. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; Qatar University
OSTI Identifier:
1808174
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725; NPRP11S-1225-170128
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Energy Technology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 9; Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 2194-4288
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
25 ENERGY STORAGE; crystal structures; high-voltage spinel; LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4; lithium-ion batteries; microwave sintering

Citation Formats

Nisar, Umair, Al-Hail, Sara A., Kumar, Petla Ramesh, Abraham, Jeffin James, Mesallam, Saoud A., Shakoor, Rana Abdul, Amin, Ruhul, Essehli, Rachid, and Al-Qaradawi, Siham. Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering. United States: N. p., 2021. Web. doi:10.1002/ente.202100085.
Nisar, Umair, Al-Hail, Sara A., Kumar, Petla Ramesh, Abraham, Jeffin James, Mesallam, Saoud A., Shakoor, Rana Abdul, Amin, Ruhul, Essehli, Rachid, & Al-Qaradawi, Siham. Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202100085
Nisar, Umair, Al-Hail, Sara A., Kumar, Petla Ramesh, Abraham, Jeffin James, Mesallam, Saoud A., Shakoor, Rana Abdul, Amin, Ruhul, Essehli, Rachid, and Al-Qaradawi, Siham. Tue . "Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202100085. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1808174.
@article{osti_1808174,
title = {Fast and Scalable Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode by Sol–Gel-Assisted Microwave Sintering},
author = {Nisar, Umair and Al-Hail, Sara A. and Kumar, Petla Ramesh and Abraham, Jeffin James and Mesallam, Saoud A. and Shakoor, Rana Abdul and Amin, Ruhul and Essehli, Rachid and Al-Qaradawi, Siham},
abstractNote = {High-voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) is a promising cathode material for high-energy-density and high-power-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The high cost of the currently available LIBs needs to be addressed urgently for wide application in the transport sector (electric vehicles, buses) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESS). Of significance, herein, novel fast and scalable microwave-assisted synthesis of LNMO is reported, which leads to a production cost cut. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of the desired phase with high crystallinity. Field emission scanning (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that the synthesized phase is of nanometric size (50–150 nm) due to an extremely short sintering time (20 min). The material synthesized at 750 °C shows a higher initial discharge capacity (130 mA h g-1) than that synthesized at 650 °C (115 mA h g-1). The materials heat treated at higher temperatures show better electrochemical performance in terms of initial capacity, rate capability, and improved cycling. The improved electrochemical performance of LNMO at 750 °C is attributed to the formation of a stable crystal structure, low charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface, high electrical conductivity due to the presence of a disorder structure, and improved ionic diffusivity.},
doi = {10.1002/ente.202100085},
journal = {Energy Technology},
number = 7,
volume = 9,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2021},
month = {Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2021}
}

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