Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of High-Voltage Nanostructured LiMn<sub>1.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Spinel: Tuning the Mn<sup>3+</sup> Content and Electrochemical Performance JaftaCharl J. MatheMkhulu K. ManyalaNcholu RoosWiets D. OzoemenaKenneth I. 2013 The LiMn<sub>1.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spinel is an important lithium ion battery cathode material that has continued to receive major research attention because of its high operating voltage (∼4.8 V). This study interrogates the impact of microwave irradiation on the Mn<sup>3+</sup> concentration and electrochemistry of the LiMn<sub>1.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spinel. It is shown that microwave is capable of tuning the Mn<sup>3+</sup> content of the spinel for enhanced electrochemical performance (high capacity, high capacity retention, excellent rate capability, and fast Li<sup>+</sup> insertion/extraction kinetics). This finding promises to revolutionize the application of microwave irradiation for improved performance of the LiMn<sub>1.5</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spinel, especially in high rate applications.