Stoichiometric spinel LiMn2O4 delivers a large initial capacity of 140 mA hr/g and has unstable rechargeability. The capacity fading of the cell on cycling occurs only in the higher charge voltage range of x < 0.45 in LixMn2O4. Nonstoichiometric spinel Li1+xMn2O4 has a slightly lower capacity of 110 mA hr/g and has an excellent cycling behavior. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.