Mechanochemical synthesis of lithium-manganese spinel, a cathode material for lithium power cells

Highly dispersed LiMn2O4 spinel was synthesized mechanochemically from vari ous starting ompounds of manganese (MnO2, Mn2O3, MnO) and lithium (LiOH, Li OH . H2O, Li2CO3). The effect of the oxidation state of manganese and the c rystal structure and mechanical properties of the starting lithium compound s on the mechanism and kinetics of mechanochemical reactions of LiMn2O4 syn thesis was studied. Also, the influence of the temperature of the subsequen t annealing on the composition and lattice parameters of LiMn2O4 was invest igated. The method of complex impedance was used to study the conductivity of the synthesized samples in relation to the nature of the starting lithiu m compounds, annealing temperature, and compaction pressure. The synthesize d samples were tested as cathodes in an electrochemical cell.