Hierarchical LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 micro-rods with enhanced rate performance for lithium-ion batteries

Hierarchical LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) micro-rods composed of primary nanoparticles are fabricated through a hydrothermal route with the presence of glycine, followed by the process control calcination. The as-obtained hierarchical micro-rods reach ca. 8 mu m in length and ca. 2 mu m in width, and the diameter of primary nanoparticles reach ca. 200 nm. The electrochemical results signify the hierarchical LNMO micro-rods can be a superb combination of the advantages of nanoparticles and micro-rods, which exhibit enhanced rates performance. Reversible discharge capacities around 144, 140, 131, 125, 118, 112 mAh/g at rates of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 C are achieved. Particularly, after 200 cycles at 1 C, the discharge capacity remains 142 mAh/g, together with a coulombic efficiency of 99.16%.