Progress, Challenge, and Prospect of LiMnO2: An Adventure toward High‐Energy and Low‐Cost Li‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

AbstractLithium manganese oxides are considered as promising cathodes for lithium‐ion batteries due to their low cost and available resources. Layered LiMnO2 with orthorhombic or monoclinic structure has attracted tremendous interest thanks to its ultrahigh theoretical capacity (285 mAh g−1) that almost doubles that of commercialized spinel LiMn2O4 (148 mAh g−1). However, LiMnO2 undergoes phase transition to spinel upon cycling cause by the Jahn‐Teller effect of the high‐spin Mn3+. In addition, soluble Mn2+ generates from the disproportionation of Mn3+ and oxygen release during electrochemical processes may cause poor cycle performance. To address the critical issues, tremendous efforts have been made. This paper provides a general review of layered LiMnO2 materials including their crystal structures, synthesis methods, structural/elemental modifications, and electrochemical performance. In brief, first the crystal structures of LiMnO2 and synthetic methods have been summarized. Subsequently, modification strategies for improving electrochemical performance are comprehensively reviewed, including element doping to suppress its phase transition, surface coating to resist manganese dissolution into the electrolyte and impede surface reactions, designing LiMnO2 composites to improve electronic conductivity and Li+ diffusion, and finding compatible electrolytes to enhance safety. At last, future efforts on the research frontier and practical application of LiMnO2 have been discussed.