Nanostructured Mn-based oxides as high-performance cathodes for next generation Li-ion batteries

Mn-based oxides have been regarded as a promising family of cathode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries, but the practical applications have been limited because of severe capacity deterioration (such as LiMnO2 and LiMn2O4) as well as further complications from successive structure changes during cycling, low initial coulombic efficiency (such as Li-rich cathode) and oxidization of organic carbonate solvents at high charge potential (such as LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4). Large amounts of efforts have been concentrated on resolving these issues towards practical applications, and many vital progresses have been carried out. Hence, the primary target of this review is focused on different proposed strategies and breakthroughs to enhance the rate performance and cycling stability of nanostructured Mn-based oxide cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, including morphology control, ion doping, surface coatings, composite construction. The combination of delicate architectures with conductive species represents the perspective ways to enhance the conductivity of the cathode materials and further buffer the structure transformation and strain during cycling. At last, based on the elaborated progress, several perspectives of Mn-based oxide cathodes are summarized, and some possible attractive strategies and future development directions of Mn-based oxide cathodes with enhanced electrochemical properties are proposed. The review will offer a detailed introduction of various strategies enhancing electrochemical performance and give a novel viewpoint to shed light on the future innovation in Mn-based oxide cathode materials, which benefits the design and construction of high-performance Mn-based oxide cathode materials in the future.