POWDER SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF LIMN2O4 PREPARED BY AN EMULSION-DRYING METHOD

Spinel LiMn2O4 powder, used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batt eries, is prepared from a water-in-oil emulsion by loading the lithium and manganese ions into the aqueous phase. For optimum electrochemica l properties, both the heating temperature and the time are controlled . As the heating temperature is increased, the particles grew linearly and the specific surface-area is reduced. The LiMn2O4 phase starts to form at 450 degrees C and is produced up to 750 degrees C for 48 h wi thout the development of other phases. Optimum heating conditions, bas ed on the resulting electrochemical properties, were 750 degrees C and 850 degrees C for 48 h. The capacities of the powders are 112 and 115 mA h g(-1), respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r eserved.