Comparison of different soft chemical routes synthesis of nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 and their influence on its physicochemical properties

Abstract

A comparative study of nanocrystalline spinel LiMn2O4 powders prepared by two different soft chemical routes such as solution and sol-gel methods using lithium and manganese acetates are the precursors under different calcination temperatures. The dependence of the physicochemical properties of the spinel LiMn2O4 powder has been extensively investigated by using thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), FTIR, X-ray diffraction studies, SEM, specific surface area (BET) and electrical conductivity measurements. The results show that pure LiMn2O4 can be prepared from acetate precursors as starting materials at a low temperature of 600°C from solution route and 500°C from sol-gel method. The charge-discharge characteristics and the cycling behavior of Li/1M LiBF4-EC/DEC electrolyte / LiMn2O4cells revealed that LiMn2O4 calcined at higher temperatures showed a high initial capacity, while the LiMn2O4calcined at lower temperatures exhibited a good cycling behavior.