Enhanced electrochemical performance of carbon-coated Li ₂MnSiO₄ nanoparticles synthesized by tartaric acid-assisted sol-gel process

A tartaric acid-assisted sol-gel process was used to synthesize Li ₂MnSiO₄ (SG-LMS) nanopowders with orthorhombic structures (Pmn2₁ space group). The Li-active SG-LMS nanoparticles were fully surrounded by a conducting amorphous carbon layer/matrix that was formed by carbonization of the tartaric acid during post-annealing of the dry gel. The SG-LMS electrode exhibited higher specific capacity and superior cycle retention as compared to the LMS electrode prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction. Such high electrochemical performance originated from the presence of a high-purity phase, a large surface area, and an efficient electron transport path facilitated by the conductive carbon coating of the SG-LMS electrode.