Facile synthesis of spherical spinel LiMn2O4 nanoparticles via solution combustion synthesis by controlling calcinating temperature

•Spherical LiMn2O4 nanoparticles are prepared by controlling calcinating temperature.•LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C are composed of spherical nanoparticles about 100nm.•LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C shows the most excellent electrochemical performance.•LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C delivers a capacity of 103.8mAhg−1 at 10C.•LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C retains 95.1% of initial capacity for 100 cycles at 1C. Spherical LiMn2O4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared via solution combustion synthesis by controlling calcinating temperature. XRD results indicate that high purity LiMn2O4 can be fabricated by calcinating the precursor above 600°C. SEM results reflect that LiMn2O4 calcinated lower than 600°C are composed of nanoparticles about 100nm. Therefore, LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C possess high purity and nanoparticles, which ensure the most excellent electrochemical performance among the precursor as well as LiMn2O4 calcinated at 500°C, 600°C and 700°C. LiMn2O4 calcinated at 600°C even can deliver a capacity of 103.8mAhg−1 at 10C, which is the 83.6% of the capacity at 0.2C. It also displays excellent capacity retention ratio of 95.1% for 100 cycles at constant current rate of 1C.