Low Temperature Preparation of LiMn2O4 and Its Electrochemical Behaviors

LiMn2O4 is a potential cathode material used in lithium ion batteries due to its satisfactory capacity, high energy density, low self-discharge rate and high thermal stability. In this work, submicron-sized LiMn2O4 was successfully prepared at low temperature by sol-gel method employing acetic acid as a chelating agent. The as-prepared Li-Mn gel was analyzed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and the calcined samples were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The results show that high purity spinel-type LiMn2O4 with good crystallinity can be successfully prepared at a wide low temperature range from 600 to 800 C-circle. SEM shows that the typical sample is irregular particles adhered by submicronsized primary particles, and the average size of the primary particles is 0.37 mu m. The LiMn2O4 sample exhibits good reversibility and rate capability. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge/discharge studies also reveal that the intercalation and de-intercalation of lithium ions occurs in two stages. The present work develops a facile and low temperature way to prepare submicron-sized LiMn2O4 with good crystallinity and some good electrochemical behavior.