Element Substitution for Spinel LiMn2O4 Cathode

Spinel LiMn2O4 is a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries ascribed to its steady bulk structure and abundant manganese sources. Nevertheless, grievous capacity decay due to the Jahn-Teller effect and the spontaneous disproportionation chain seriously hampers its extensive application, especially at high-temperature or high-potential operation circumstances. Attributed to the strengthening of crystallographic structure and the inhibition of Mn3+ side reaction, element substitution has been turned into one of the most momentous tactics in the modification of LiMn2O4. Here, we comprehensively review the developments about restraining the capacity fading and enhancing the performances of LiMn2O4 through element substitution. Primarily, the capacity fading mechanism of LiMn2O4 is thoroughly recapitulated. Subsequently, our summary is proposed based on two categories, which are phase evolution and solid solution strengthening invoked by element substitution, and the latter can be subdivided into structure strengthening and Li+ diffusion kinetics boosting. More importantly, we put forward a methodological approach for future element substitution researches. This progress report will shed a light on future perspective direction of LiMn2O4 cathode material optimization.