Effect of Al-doping on the electrochemical properties of a three-dimensionally porous lithium manganese oxide for lithium-ion batteries

[Display omitted] ► 3D porous lithium manganese oxides have been fast prepared by a phase-inversion process. ► It exhibited excellent rate capability and cycling performance at room temperature. ► Al-doped spinel had a better cycling capability at 55°C than the undoped one. ► It could be a promising cathode material for high-power lithium-ion batteries. In this work, three-dimensionally porous spinel-type lithium manganese oxides were prepared by a phase-inversion technology using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the template and followed by annealing at a high temperature. The morphology was observed on scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the crystal structure was determined from the X-ray diffraction pattern. Effect of Al-doping on the electrochemical properties of the product was studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4 (LAMO) displays better rate and cycling capabilities than the pristine LiMn2O4 (LMO) at room temperature. It also exhibits an enhanced cycling performance at 55°C due to doping with Al. The results suggest that the obtained LAMO could develop into a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.