Our findings reveal an ordered–disordered phase transformation in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 triggered by sucrose. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) was used to determine the local structure in sucrose-treated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4. It was found that larger lattice strain in sucrose-induced disordered LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is attributed to Ni-site distortion.
