Synthesis and improved electrochemical performance of LiMn2–xGdxO4 based cathodes

• Published in: Solid state ionics Vol. 300; pp. 18 - 25
• Main Authors: Ram, Pura, Gören, A., Ferdov, S., Silva, M.M., Choudhary, Ganpat, Singhal, Rahul, Costa, C.M., Sharma, Rakesh K., Lanceros-Méndez, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-02-2017
• Subjects: Cathode material; Gadolinium doping; Lithium-ion battery applications; LMO; Cathode material; Lithium-ion battery applications; Gadolinium doping; LMO
• ISSN: 0167-2738; 1872-7689
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssi.2016.11.026

LiMn2–xGdxO4 (x=0.00, 0.01 and x=0.04) spinel active material were prepared by sol-gel method. The morphology, crystal structure, thermal stability and electrochemical properties of the synthesized samples were evaluated. Gd-doping maintains the cubic spinel structure of LiMn2O4, leads to a decrease of the average particle size, and has a strong influence on the electrochemical properties of the cathodes. LiMn2–xGdxO4 cathode materials show two pairs of separated redox peaks, independently of the Gd-doping. After 40 charge-discharge cycles at C/2, the discharge capacity was 55.9mAh·g−1 and 33mAh·g−1 for x=0.04 and x=0, respectively, corresponding to a capacity retention of 80% and 70%, respectively. The Gd-doped with x=0.04 showed improved cycling performance with respect to pristine LiMn2O4 due the smaller particle size and superior structural stability, showing its suitability for lithium-ion battery applications.
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•Spinel LiMn2O4 powders doped with gadolinium were prepared by sol-gel method.•The effect of gadolinium doping content (x=0.01, 0.04) is reported.•A gadolinium doping content of x=0.04 improves the cycling performance of LiMn2O4.