Preparation and electrochemical performance of Li_2Mn_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)SiO_4 cathode material with sol-gel method for lithium ion batteries

Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 material was synthesized by a citric acid-assisted sol-gel method. The influence of the stoichiometric ratio value of n(citric acid) to n(Fe2+-Mn2+) on the electrochemical properties of Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 was studied. The final sample was identified as Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 with a Pmn21 monoclinic structure by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal phases components and crystal phase structure of the Li2Fe0.5Mn0.4SiO4 material were improved as the increase of the stoichiometric ratio value of n(citric acid) to n(Fe2+-Mn2+). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy verified that the Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 particles are agglomerates of Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 primary particles with a geometric mean diameter of 220 nm. The Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 sample was used as an electrode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and the electrochemical measurements were carried out at room temperature. The Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 electrode delivered a first discharge capacity of 230.1 mAh/g at the current density of 10 mA/g in first cycle and about 162 mAh/g after 20 cycles at the current density of 20 mA/g.