The heat generation characteristics of LixMn2O4 spinel as a positive electr
ode material were measured in situ during cycling of Li/LixMn2O4 cell, usin
g an isothermal microcalorimeter in combination with a battery tester. The
total heat generation rate is dependent on the concentration of lithium in
LixMn2O4. By separating irreversible heat from the total heat rate, using,d
e interruption technique, the concentration dependence is shown to be mainl
y due to the reversible heat of the cell, which shows a cooling-heating-coo
ling-heating cycle, during charge/discharge. This thermal characteristic ma
y be explained from the phase diagram of LixMn2O4, in agreement with recent
reports on the phase-change behavior. The dependence of the thermal charac
teristics on the current level is weak at a low C rate, but increases steep
ly from C/3 to IC rate. Although voltage profiles of charge and discharge s
howed similar behavior, the range of discontinuity (between 4.1 and 4.0 V)
is not identical for charge and discharge. While the voltage profile is aff
ected by irreversibility (charge vs. discharge), the thermal profile is bar
ely affected by it. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.1
387224] All rights reserved.