Solution combustion synthesis of disordered spinel LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 cathode material using PVP fuel

In this research, the LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 powders were prepared by solution combustion method using metal nitrates as an oxidant and various amounts of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as fuel. The effects of PVP contents and calcination treatment on the Mn 3+ proportion, morphology, and electrochemical properties were explored. The calcination treatment included the two-step process (pretreatment at 450 °C and then calcination at 800 °C) and one-step treatment at 600 °C. Single-phase LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 powders with disordered spinel crystal structure (space group of Fd3m) were crystallized by calcination at 600 °C at the lowest fuel contents. The LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 particles had octahedral morphology even at the calcination temperature of 600 °C. The LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 powders calcined using the two-step process exhibited comparable lithium-ion storage performance, including a capacity retention of 99 % following 200 charge/discharge cycles at 1C and a specific capacity of 110 mAh g −1 . • LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 cathode material was easily prepared by solution combustion method. • The average size of octahedral-like particles was tuned by PVP content as organic fuel. • The octahedral particles were crystallized at a low temperature of 600 °C. • The highest specific capacity of 110 mAhg −1 was obtained by using the lower PVP fuel.