Hierarchical mesoporous Li2Mn0.5Fe0.5SiO4 and Li2Mn0.5Fe0.5SiO4/C assembled by nanoparticles or nanoplates as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Hierarchical mesoporous Li 2 Mn 0.5 Fe 0.5 SiO 4 consisted of nanoparticles or nanoplates has been successfully synthesized for the first time by a hydrothermal method . Their carbon-coated composites are obtained by a heat treatment in the presence of citric acid. These composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy , Raman spectroscopy , and thermogravimetric analysis . The lithium storage capacity and cycling performance of the optimized Li 2 Mn 0.5 Fe 0.5 SiO 4 /C composite are greatly enhanced when tested as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It exhibits a discharge capacity of 125   mAh   g −1 after 60 cycles at a rate of 0.1   C. This superior electrochemical property could be ascribed to high purity and mesoporous structure of Li 2 Mn 0.5 Fe 0.5 SiO 4 , which greatly enhances the electronic conductivity as well as the diffusion coefficient of lithium ions .