The application of manganese tetroxide (Mn₃O₄) in lithium-ion batteries has been expanding in recent years, primarily in LMO batteries, with its market significance and growth potential warranting attention.

1. Application and advantages of the manganese sheet method:

The manganese sheet method holds a dominant position in the production of battery-grade manganese tetroxide, with Sinosteel NMC as a representative enterprise. The market share of the manganese sulphate method is relatively stable, with Dalong Huicheng as a representative enterprise. The recycling method accounts for a smaller proportion, with New Era Zhongneng as a representative enterprise.

The manganese tetroxide produced by the manganese sheet method boasts advantages such as good stability, high purity, effective impurity control, more controllable magnetic substances, and lower costs.

2. Manganese tetroxide has found widespread application in the LMO market

Material superiority: Low impurity content, spherical morphology, and small specific surface area ensure stable performance. The LMO produced has high capacity per gram, good cycling and storage performance, and excellent high-temperature performance.

Economic benefits: Manganese tetroxide offers significant cost-effectiveness advantages, with a lower market price than manganese dioxide, lower dosage, and reduced lithium carbonate consumption.

Application scope: Suitable for various lithium-ion batteries, particularly performing well in the high-end market.

3. Breakthroughs in downstream applications, expanding towards new-type manganese-based cathode materials

LMFP, as a new-generation cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, features low cost and high safety, and is expected to see wider application in NEVs and ESS devices. The manganese sources used vary, with enterprises adopting manganese tetroxide, manganese carbonate, manganese sulphate, and manganese dioxide, among others. However, research indicates that manganese tetroxide is gradually becoming the mainstream, with leading shipment enterprises like Hengchuang Nano and Ronbay Skoland also adopting this route. In 2024, China's LMFP production was only 10,000 mt, falling short of expectations. It is projected that production will increase by over 20% MoM in 2025, bringing new vitality to the manganese tetroxide market.

High-voltage nickel manganese acid lithium, with its high working voltage and energy density, holds promising market prospects in fields requiring high energy density, such as EVs and high-performance batteries. Compared to manganese dioxide, nickel manganese acid lithium using manganese tetroxide and nickel oxide as raw materials is lower in cost. In the solid-phase synthesis method, using manganese tetroxide as a raw material, the capacity per gram of nickel manganese acid lithium can reach 135mAh/g, with a capacity retention rate greater than 80% after 1,500 cycles, making it one of the highly promising next-generation cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, its rapid capacity decay during cycling limits its application and commercialization prospects. If these technical challenges can be overcome in the future, its development potential will be immense.

It can thus be seen that the application of Mn3O4 in manganese-based cathode materials is not limited to existing LMO batteries, but is also expanding into the field of new-type manganese-based cathode materials (such as LMFP and high-voltage nickel manganese lithium oxide). The dominant position and technological advantages of the manganese sheet method provide strong support for the promotion and application of Mn3O4. Coupled with its significant economic and performance advantages, the application prospects of Mn3O4 in the future lithium battery market are extremely broad. Through continuous technological innovation and market promotion, the role of Mn3O4 in the new energy field will be further enhanced, contributing to the development of battery technology and the new energy industry.