Double Flame-Fabricated High-Performance AlPO4/LiMn2O4 Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

The spinel LiMn2O4 (LMO) is a promising cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries due to its excellent properties, including cost effectiveness, eco-friendliness, high energy density, and rate capability. The commercial application of LiMn2O4 is limited by its fast capacity fading during cycling, which lowers the electrochemical performance. In the present work, phase-pure and crystalline LiMn2O4 spinel in the nanoscale were synthesized using single flame spray pyrolysis via screening 16 different precursor-solvent combinations. To overcome the drawback of capacity fading, LiMn2O4 was homogeneously mixed with different percentages of AlPO4 using versatile multiple flame sprays. The mixing was realized by producing AlPO4 and LiMn2O4 aerosol streams in two independent flames placed at 20 degrees to the vertical axis. The structural and morphological analyses by X-ray diffraction indicated the formation of a pure LMO phase and/or AlPO4-mixed LiMn2O4. Electrochemical analysis indicated that LMO nanoparticles of 17.8 nm (dBET) had the best electrochemical performance among the pure LMOs with an initial capacity and a capacity retention of 111.4 mA h g(-1) and 88% after 100 cycles, respectively. A further increase in the capacity retention to 93% and an outstanding initial capacity of 116.1 mA h g(-1) were acquired for 1% AlPO4.