Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of bixbyite Mn2O3 powder

The pure bixbyite Mn2O3 was prepared by first applying in-situ redox precip itation hydrothermal synthesis method under the very mild conditions, and c haracterized by XRD, TEM, BET and TGA. The effects of alkalinity, crystalli zation time and temperature on the product were investigated. The results d emonstrated that the alkalinity has an obvious effect on the product wherea s the crystallization time and temperature has only a little influence on t he product. Too low alkalinity results in no formation of product, and too high alkalinity leads to no formation of pure product with a smaller partic le size. Under optimized conditions, the pure bixbyite Mn2O3 powder with a better morphology and distribution can be obtained. The average diameter of product is approximate to 80 nm. The normal LiMn2O4 spinel used as cathode material can be prepared using as-synthesized bixbyite Mn2O3 as manganese precursor at 650 degreesC for 2 h by solid state reaction.