Morphology and electrochemical behavior of an ultrafine LiMn2O4 powder obtained by a new route, from freeze-dried precursors

Abstract

An ultrafine (25-40 nm) powder of spinel lithium manganese oxide with composition Li _0.95 Mn ₂ O ₄ was obtained from decomposition of freeze drying nitrate precursors and heat treatment below 500 °C. Positive electrodes prepared with this material have been cycled between 4.6 and 3.1 V up to C/2 rate. The specific discharge capacity at such a rate decreases from 110 to 90 mA h g ^–1 after 80 cycles, with a low polarization only.