Synthesis of shell-in-shell LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 hollow microspheres and their enhanced performance for lithium ion batteries

Shell-in-shell LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 hollow microspheres (SS-LNMO) were synthesized by a facile molten salt and temperature programmed calcination route. SS-LNMO with an average size of 1.2µm and a shell thicknesses of ~120nm were employed as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Experiment results showed that SS-LNMO exhibited a good rate performance. At 2C, the reversible capacity after 100 cycles was 140 mAhg−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 97.7%. The superior electrochemical behavior of SS-LNMO could be ascribed to the unique micro-nano assembly hollow structure, simultaneously offering short diffusion distance, cushioning the volume change and maintaining the electrode integrity.