Electrochemical performance of LiMn₂O₄/LiFePO₄ blend cathodes for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A series of LiMn₂O₄/LiFePO₄ blend cathodes was prepared by hand milling and ball milling in order to compensate the disadvantage of spinel LiMn₂O₄ and olivine LiFePO₄. The morphologies of the blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy, and their electrochemical properties were studied by charge-discharge cycling, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is easy to obtain uniform LiMn₂O₄/LiFePO₄ blends by the hand milling technique, while significant particle agglomeration is caused by the ball milling technique. When the LiMn₂O₄:LiFePO₄ mass ratio is 1:1, the nano-sized LiFePO₄ powders not only uniformly cover the micron-sized LiMn₂O₄ particles but also effectively fill in the cavities of the LiMn₂O₄ space. Such morphology offers a good electrical contact and a high tap density, which leads to a high discharge capacity and good cycle stability.

Keywords

Lithium ion battery / LiMn₂O₄ / LiFePO₄ / Blend cathode

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