Progress, Challenge, and Prospect of LiMnO2: An Adventure toward High‐Energy and Low‐Cost Li‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Lithium manganese oxides are considered as promising cathodes for lithium‐ion batteries due to their low cost and available resources. Layered LiMnO 2 with orthorhombic or monoclinic structure has attracted tremendous interest thanks to its ultrahigh theoretical capacity (285 mAh g −1 ) that almost doubles that of commercialized spinel LiMn 2 O 4 (148 mAh g −1 ). However, LiMnO 2 undergoes phase transition to spinel upon cycling cause by the Jahn‐Teller effect of the high‐spin Mn 3+ . In addition, soluble Mn 2+ generates from the disproportionation of Mn 3+ and oxygen release during electrochemical processes may cause poor cycle performance. To address the critical issues, tremendous efforts have been made. This paper provides a general review of layered LiMnO 2 materials including their crystal structures, synthesis methods, structural/elemental modifications, and electrochemical performance. In brief, first the crystal structures of LiMnO 2 and synthetic methods have been summarized. Subsequently, modification strategies for improving electrochemical performance are comprehensively reviewed, including element doping to suppress its phase transition, surface coating to resist manganese dissolution into the electrolyte and impede surface reactions, designing LiMnO 2 composites to improve electronic conductivity and Li + diffusion, and finding compatible electrolytes to enhance safety. At last, future efforts on the research frontier and practical application of LiMnO 2 have been discussed.