Synthesis of Spinel LiMn2O4 Powders by the Drip Pyrolysis in Fluidized Bed Reactor

Abstract

A simple technique has been developed to directly produce fine ceramics powders from liquid solution by drip pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor. Using this technique, the preparation of lithium manganese oxides LiMn2O4, which are the most promising cathode materials for lithium ion battery, has been carried out for various superficial gas velocities U0 = 0.30–0.91 m/s, concentrations of precursor solution C0 = 0.45–4.50 mol/dm3 and static bed heights Ls = 50–150 mm. The as-prepared samples exhibited a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities in the XRD patterns, and the chemical composition of as-prepared powders showed in a good agreement with the one of precursor solution.The as-prepared sample was used as cathode active materials for lithium-ion battery and their charge/discharge properties have been investigated. Test experiments in the electrochemical cell Li|1M LiClO4 in PC|LiMn2O4 demonstrated that the sample, prepared by the drip pyrolysis method and then calciend at 750°C for 4 h in the air, was a promising cathode material for 4 V lithium-ion batteries.