Li2Ni0.5Mn0.5SnO4/C: A Novel Hybrid Composite Electrode for High Rate Applications

A novel Li2Ni0.5Mn0.5SnO4/C composite electrode, existing as a hybrid consisting of monoclinic Li2SnO3 and layered LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2, has been identified and validated for high capacity and high rate lithium battery applications. Of the components, LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 upon discharge forms the corresponding dilithium oxide, viz., Li2Ni0.5Mn0.5O2, and facilitates the progressive electrochemical performance of the composite electrode. Similarly, Li2SnO3 upon discharge forms Li2O and SnO2, wherein the unacceptable volume expansion related issues of SnO2 are addressed by the buffering activity of Li2O phase. A combination of alloying/dealloying, conversion, and redox mechanism is responsible for the excellent electrochemical behavior of Li2Ni0.5Mn0.5SnO4/C electrode. With this newer formulation of dilithium stannate composite, a superior capacity of >3000 mAh g–1 at 100 mA g–1 current density has been demonstrated. The study opens up a newer gateway for the entry of Li2SnO3·LiM1M2O2 hybrid formulations for exploitation up to 1 A g–1 rate, thus ensuring the sustainable development of potential electrode materials for high rate applications.