Effects of ball milling on the crystal face of spinel LiMn2O4

Abstract

Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) cathode materials are synthesized by a facile solid state reaction method using planetary ball-milled mixtures of Li₂CO₃ and MnO₂ as materials. The as-prepared LiMn₂O₄ is analyzed by XRD, SEM and AAS to investigate the effects of ball milling on the grain size and morphology of LiMn₂O₄. It is found that ball milling treatment can reduce the (111) surfaces of LiMn₂O₄ and improve the corresponding electrochemical performance. The LiMn₂O₄ prepared after 6 h ball-milling shows higher first discharge capacity (129.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.5 C) and excellent cycling stability (94.95% after 30 cycles).