Synthesis and characterization of Sc-doped LiScxMn2-xO4 spinel cathode material for Li-ion batteries

A series of Sc-doped spinel lithium manganese oxides (LiScxMn2-xO4) were synthesized by solid state reaction using LiOH . H2O, MnO2, and Sc2O3 as starting materials and were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods. The electrochemical experiments showed that the doping of Sc significantly improved the cycleability of spinels. The initial discharge capacity reached 125 mA h g(-1) and the capacity fading rate was less than 10% after 50 cycles. The outstanding electrochemical properties of LiScxMn2-xO4 make them possible as promising cathode materials. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.