Bulk synthesis of submicrometre powders of LiMn2O4 for secondary lithium batteries

Abstract

Submicrometre powders of single-phase LiMn₂O₄ have been synthesized from citrate and oxalate precursors using a xerogel method. The product was confirmed by XRD studies and the temperatures of formation were shown to be < 250 °C by TG and DTA. SEM studies showed that the average grain size of the powders was < 0.1 µm. The reversible lithium insertion behaviour of the product was demonstrated in a coin cell assembly using 1 mol l^–1 LiClO₄ in a 1:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME). The capacity of the cathode remained as high as 120 mA h g^–1 at the end of the fortieth cycle.