Fast ultrasound-assisted synthesis of Li2MnSiO4 nanoparticles for a lithium-ion battery

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 294; pp. 522 - 529
• Main Authors: Hwang, Chahwan, Kim, Taejin, Shim, Joongpyo, Kwak, Kyungwon, Ok, Kang Min, Lee, Kyung-Koo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.10.2015
• Subjects: Cathode active material; Lithium manganese silicate; Lithium-ion battery; Sol–gel process; Sonochemical reaction; Sonochemical reaction; Lithium-ion battery; Lithium manganese silicate; Cathode active material; Sol–gel process
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.06.107

High-capacity Li2MnSiO4/C (LMS/C MBS) nanoparticles have been prepared using sonochemistry under a multibubble sonoluminescence (MBS) condition, and their physical and electrochemical properties were characterized. The results show that LMS/C MBS nanoparticles exhibit a nearly pure crystalline phase with orthorhombic structure and have a spherical shape and a uniform particle size distribution centered at a diameter of 22.5 nm. Galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements reveal that LMS/C MBS delivers an initial discharge capacity of about 260 mA h g−1 at a current rate of 16.5 mA g−1 in the voltage range of 1.5–4.8 V (vs. Li/Li+), while LMS MBS (LMS without a carbon source under MBS) and LMS/C SG (LMS with a carbon source using the conventional sol–gel method) possess lower capacities of 168 and 9 mA h g−1, respectively. The improved electrochemical performance of LMS/C MBS can be ascribed to the uniform nanoparticle size, mesoporous structure, and in-situ carbon coating, which can enhance the electronic conductivity as well as the lithium ion diffusion coefficient. •The precursors of LMS were synthesized using a fast sonochemical reaction.•LMS nanoparticles are homogeneous particles with a diameter of about 25 nm.•It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 260 mA h g−1 at room temperature.•The high capacity is ascribed to the uniform nanoparticle size and carbon coating.