Facile fabrication of RGO wrapped LiMn2O4 nanorods as a cathode with enhanced specific capacity

Abstract

A facile method with ethanol assisted dispersion combined with a magnetic stirrer to prepare reduced graphene oxide (RGO) wrapped LiMn₂O₄ nanorods (LNs) is presented. The results show that compared to LNs, a LNs/RGO cathode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) exhibits much smaller impedance and much better electrochemical performance. After coating with RGO, the initial discharge capacity can be increased from 118.9 to 143.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2C which can retain 139.2 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles; the rate discharge capacities of LNs/RGO can reach 99.5, 82.1, 56 mA h g⁻¹ at 10, 20, 30C, respectively. The significant performance enhancement can be attributed to the synergetic effect of the LiMn₂O₄ nanorods matrix and the conductive graphene wrapping layers. The excellent electrochemical properties make LNs/RGO a promising cathode material for high-performance LIBs. In addition, the facile synthesis route enables mass production and can be extended to prepare other graphene wrapped anode or cathode electrodes for LIBs.