Lithium Manganate (LiMn2O4)

Lithium Manganate (LiMn₂O₄)

Lithium Manganate (LiMn2O4, LMO) is a cobalt-free spinel cathode powder engineered for lithium-ion cells that demand high discharge rates, strong thermal stability, and low material cost. Operating on a standard ~4.0 V plateau versus Li/Li+, this cubic spinel delivers a three-dimensional lithium-ion diffusion network that supports fast charge and discharge without sacrificing safety. Manufactured to a consistent particle size distribution and battery-grade purity, our LMO powder is supplied ready for slurry formulation and electrode coating in coin cells, pouch cells, and cylindrical formats. It is a proven, cost-effective alternative or blending partner to cobalt- and nickel-rich cathodes across power tools, light electric vehicles, and grid storage.

Surface Area (m²/g) :	N/A
Particle Size d₅₀ (μm) :	<1
Purity (%) :	>99.8

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Introduction to Lithium Manganate Powder

Lithium Manganate (LMO, LiMn₂O₄) is a cobalt-free lithium-ion cathode with a cubic spinel structure (Fd-3m), where Li⁺ occupies tetrahedral sites, and Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ occupies octahedral sites within a three-dimensional oxygen framework. The Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox couple provides a characteristic operating voltage near 4.0 V, while the interconnected 3D diffusion network supports good rate capability and power performance. Although LMO offers lower capacity than many layered oxides, its low cost, abundant manganese, and reduced supply-chain risk remain attractive. Supplied as fine, free-flowing powder, LMO is processed into cathode slurries for coating and calendering. It is widely used in lithium-ion batteries for power tools, medical devices, hybrid vehicles, and energy-storage applications, with doped or coated grades used to improve cycle life and thermal stability.

FAQs

Question: What is Lithium Manganate (LiMn₂O₄)?

Answer: Lithium Manganate (LiMn₂O₄) is a cathode material known for its high performance in lithium-ion batteries. It is characterized by a spinel crystal structure that offers excellent thermal stability.

Question: How does LiMn₂O₄ contribute to renewable energy storage?

Answer: LiMn₂O₄ is utilized in stationary energy storage systems to store excess energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, allowing for its use during peak demand periods.

Question: What role does LiMn₂O₄ play in consumer electronics?

Answer: In consumer electronics, LiMn₂O₄ batteries offer safety and durability that meet the requirements of smart mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.

Question: How does the spinel structure of LiMn₂O₄ enhance its performance?

Answer: The spinel structure of lithium manganate facilitates the efficient transport of lithium ions. Thus, it helps to improve the stability of materials, making it ideal for cycles of charging and discharging.

Introduction to Lithium Manganate Powder

Property	Value	Significance
Voltage plateau	~4.0V vs. Li/Li+ (two closely spaced plateaus near 3.95-4.15V)	Defines the standard ‘4V-class’ spinel chemistry; distinguishes this material from the ~4.7V high-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel
Specific capacity	Theoretical: 148 mAh/g; practical/typical: 100 – 120 mAh/g	Sets achievable cell energy density and informs electrode active-material loading
Particle size (D50)	5 – 15 μm (typical); sub-micron grades available	Governs slurry rheology, electrode packing density, and rate performance
Purity	99.5% – 99.9% (battery grade)	Limits transition-metal and alkali-metal impurities that accelerate capacity fade
Density (true)	~4.2 g/cm³	Used for electrode volumetric energy density and porosity calculations
CAS number	12057-17-9	Regulatory identification and shipping documentation
Crystal structure	Cubic spinel, Fd-3m space group	Provides a 3D lithium-ion diffusion network enabling high rate capability
Tap density	2.0 – 2.4 g/cm³	Affects electrode slurry loading, coating thickness, and volumetric capacity

Property

Value

Significance

Voltage plateau

~4.0V vs. Li/Li+ (two closely spaced plateaus near 3.95-4.15V)

Defines the standard ‘4V-class’ spinel chemistry; distinguishes this material from the ~4.7V high-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel

Specific capacity

Theoretical: 148 mAh/g; practical/typical: 100 – 120 mAh/g

Sets achievable cell energy density and informs electrode active-material loading

Particle size (D50)

5 – 15 μm (typical); sub-micron grades available

Governs slurry rheology, electrode packing density, and rate performance

Purity

99.5% – 99.9% (battery grade)

Limits transition-metal and alkali-metal impurities that accelerate capacity fade

Density (true)

~4.2 g/cm³

Used for electrode volumetric energy density and porosity calculations

CAS number

12057-17-9

Regulatory identification and shipping documentation

Crystal structure

Cubic spinel, Fd-3m space group

Provides a 3D lithium-ion diffusion network enabling high rate capability

Tap density

2.0 – 2.4 g/cm³

Affects electrode slurry loading, coating thickness, and volumetric capacity

Grade / Form	Typical Purity	Key Features / Uses
Standard Battery-Grade LMO	99.5% purity	D50 5-15 μm general-purpose cathode powder for coin/pouch cell R&D and pilot-line production
High-Purity LMO	99.9% purity	Reduced transition-metal and alkali-metal impurities for extended cycle-life and long-duration testing
Nano/Sub-micron LMO	99.5% purity	D50 <1 μm; higher surface area and shorter diffusion paths for high-rate/high-power cell designs
Coated LMO (carbon or oxide surface layer)	99.5% purity	Carbon or Al2O3/oxide surface coating suppresses manganese dissolution and improves high-temperature cycling
Doped LMO (Al-, Cr-, or Ni-substituted)	99.5% purity	Partial cation substitution mitigates Jahn-Teller distortion and improves capacity retention over cycling.

Grade / Form

Typical Purity

Key Features / Uses

Standard Battery-Grade LMO

99.5% purity

D50 5-15 μm general-purpose cathode powder for coin/pouch cell R&D and pilot-line production

High-Purity LMO

99.9% purity

Reduced transition-metal and alkali-metal impurities for extended cycle-life and long-duration testing

Nano/Sub-micron LMO

99.5% purity

D50 <1 μm; higher surface area and shorter diffusion paths for high-rate/high-power cell designs

Coated LMO (carbon or oxide surface layer)

99.5% purity

Carbon or Al2O3/oxide surface coating suppresses manganese dissolution and improves high-temperature cycling

Doped LMO (Al-, Cr-, or Ni-substituted)

99.5% purity

Partial cation substitution mitigates Jahn-Teller distortion and improves capacity retention over cycling.

Industry	Application	Function
Power tools	Cordless drill and tool battery packs	High discharge-rate cathode supporting sustained high-current draw
Light electric vehicles	E-bike and e-scooter battery packs	Balances power density, safety, and low cost for LEV pack design
Electric vehicles	Blended NMC/LMO cathode formulations	Improves thermal stability and reduces cost while boosting pack power output
Grid and stationary storage	Renewable energy storage systems	Cost-effective, thermally stable cathode suited to large-format storage duty cycles
Consumer electronics	Power banks, laptops, and medical devices	Safe, moderate-cost cathode meeting everyday device performance requirements
Battery R&D and manufacturing	Half-cell and full-cell electrochemical testing	Reference/benchmark cathode material for cell engineering and process development

Industry

Application

Function

Power tools

Cordless drill and tool battery packs

High discharge-rate cathode supporting sustained high-current draw

Light electric vehicles

E-bike and e-scooter battery packs

Balances power density, safety, and low cost for LEV pack design

Electric vehicles

Blended NMC/LMO cathode formulations

Improves thermal stability and reduces cost while boosting pack power output