Comprehensive utilization of metallurgic waste in manganese electrowinning: Towards high performance LiMn2O4.

Abstract In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the synthesis of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 using by-products of the electrolytic manganese through solid state reaction. LiMn 2 O 4 synthesized through by-products from coated titanium anodes exhibits a special biscuit-like hierarchical micro/nano structure and excellent electrochemical performance. When used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries, it delivers an initial discharge capacity of 119.1 mA h g−1 at 14.8 mA g−1, and high reversible discharge capacities of 94.1 mA h g−1 and 75.4 mA h g−1 can be maintained when the current density reach 740 and 1480 mA g−1. High capacity retention of about 90% can be also achieved after 200 cycles in the potential range of 3–4.3 V at 148 mA g−1. The electrochemical performance is much superior to that of the counterpart sample synthesized by conventional electrolytic manganese dioxide which can be ascribed to the unique hierarchical micro/nano architecture. However, on the other side, LiMn 2 O 4 synthesized by Pb anode slime suffer from poor electrochemical performance due to the inevitable Pb issue and other relevant impurities. These results may open up a new gate for the further application of by-product of electrolytic manganese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]