A simple method of growth and lithiation of Ba6Mn24O48 whiskers
Abstract
Isothermal crystal growth from evaporating fluxes of alkaline chlorides allowed the reproducible, high yield synthesis of micron thick and millimetre long whiskers of two manganese-rich phases, BaMn8O16 hollandite and Ba6Mn24O48 manganite, with a tunnel crystal structure. The crystal morphology suggests that they grow by a VLS (vapour–liquid–solid)-related mechanism. An ion exchange in molten LiNO3 at about 300 °C was found to introduce lithium in structural channels of the Ba6Mn24O48 phase due to partial barium substitution.