Review–From LiMn <sub>2</sub> O <sub>4</sub> to Partially-Disordered Li <sub>2</sub> MnNiO <sub>4</sub> : The Evolution of Lithiated-Spinel Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries
Michael M. Thackeray, Eungje Lee, Boyu Shi, Jason R. Croy
Abstract
This personal narrative relates to the discovery in 1981 of stoichiometric LiM 2 O 4 spinel electrodes (where M = metal cation) for lithium-ion batteries by the Goodenough group at Oxford University, UK, and the subsequent identification and evolution of stable lithiated-spinel Li 2 M 2 O 4 (or LiMO 2 ) cathodes at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and Argonne National Laboratory (USA). The competition that occurs between the formation of lithiated-spinel and layered (LiMO 2 ) structures at 400 °C, and recent efforts to design high-capacity, Mn-rich composite cathodes with partial disorder, are discussed. The paper is written in honor of John Goodenough’s 100th birthday.