Boosting the electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn2O4 cathode material via copper surface decoration

Şahan H., Şanlı F., Taş Y., Yılmaz Y., Patat Ş.

Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, cilt.16, ss.1-18, 2026 (ESCI)

Özet

The spinel LiMn₂O₄ (LMO) is a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its low cost, abundance, relatively low toxicity, and straightforward processing. Despite these advantages, its practical application is hindered by capacity fading resulting from Jahn-Teller distortion and manganese dissolution. In this study, LMO was synthesized using the glycine-nitrate combustion method and subsequently surface-modified with metallic copper through electroless deposition. Characterization of the Cu-decorated LMO was conducted using X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry indicated increased redox peak intensities and enhanced electrochemical reversibility, as evidenced by reduced peak-to-peak potential differences for LMO@Cu. At 0.1C, LMO@Cu achieved an initial discharge capacity of 114.3 mAh g⁻¹, surpassing the 103.8 mAh g⁻¹ observed for pristine LMO. Rate-capability assessments from 0.1C to 10C showed consistently higher discharge capacities for LMO@Cu, with the most significant improvement at 10C, where LMO@Cu and LMO delivered approximately 45 and 8 mAh g⁻¹, respectively. At 55 °C, LMO@Cu maintained 90.44 % capacity retention after 50 cycles, compared to 85.01 % for LMO. The improved performance is attributed to enhanced electronic transport and electrochemical kinetics facilitated by the dispersed copper phase.