Synthesis and electrochemistry of LiMn2O4 prepared using succinic acid as complexing agent

Single phase spinel-LiMn2O4 has been synthesized from the methanolic soluti on of metal acetates and succinic acid as a complexing agent by soft-chemis try technique. Shorter heat-treatment time, narrow particle size distributi on, smaller crystallite size, better control of morphology, and low formati on temperature of the synthesized materials are the advantages of this tech nique. The formation temperature of LiMn2O4 has been found to be as low as 300 degrees C in this method of preparation. The dependence of crystallinit y of LiMn2O4 with heat treatment temperature has been studied. The physical properties of the synthesized product have been investigated by structural (XRD), spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) and thermal (DTA/TG) analyses. The e lectrochemical performance of the material has been evaluated by employing it as cathode in Li//LiMn2O4 cells. LiMn2O4 synthesized by the soft-chemist ry method shows a two step delithiation process, which is explained by the change of phases during delithiation, a first step in a single phase and in a second step in a mixed phase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.