Palladium-Gold Nanoalloy Surface Modified LiMn2O4Cathode for Enhanced Li-Ion Battery

Abstract

Au with Pd nanoparticles were synthesized and coated onto the spinel LiMn2O4via a coprecipitation calcination method with the objective to improve the microstructure, conductivity, and electrochemical activities of pristine LiMn2O4. The novelLiPdAuxMn2-xO4composite cathode had high phase purity, well crystallized particles, and more regular morphological structures with narrow size distributions. At enlarged cycling potential ranges theLiPdAuxMn2-xO4sample delivered 90 mAh g−1discharge capacity compared to LiMn2O4(45 mAh g−1). It was concluded that even a small amount of the Pd and Au enhanced both the lithium diffusivity and electrochemical conductivity of the host sample due to the beneficial properties of their synergy.