Synthesis of nanocrystalline layered manganese oxides by the electrochemical reduction of AMnO(4) (A = K, Li)

Layered manganese oxides containing Lithium and/or potassium have been synt hesized by the electrochemical reduction of permanganate solutions. The syn thesis provides products with manganese near an oxidation state of four. Th e products as shown by XRD have the rancieite-type structure and crystallit e size on the order of 10 nm. In this paper, the synthesis and characteriza tion will be presented along with the initial cycling of these materials as positive electrodes in Li-batteries. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.