SnO₂ modification of spherical spinel LiMn₂O₄ cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

SnO₂ modification of spherical spinel LiMn₂O₄ was attempted at first time to improve its electrochemical performance. The modification started with the preparation of spherical MnCO₃, followed by pre-heating to produce spherical Mn₂O₃. The SnO₂ modified spherical spinel LiMn₂O₄ was obtained by sintering of the mixture of spherical MnCO₃, SnO₂ and Li₂CO₃. The XRD analysis confirmed the existence of SnO₂ phase and decrease of spinel lattice constant after the modification, indicating the doping of Sn in the spinel. The modified sample presented much better cycleability than that of un-modified sample. This paves a simple way to improve the electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn₂O₄.