An aqueous reduction method to synthesize spinel-LiMn2O4 nanoparticles as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

A new synthetic method has been developed and demonstrated for the utilization of commercially cheap MnO2 for the production of nanoparticles of LiMn2O4 spinel as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries. The process involves the insertion of lithium into electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) in an aqueous medium with glucose as a mild reductant in open air. The material resulting from calcination is pure, spinel-structured Li0.96Mn2O4 particles of sub-micrometric and nanometric size that exhibit promising electrochemical behavior in nonaqueous Li-salt solutions. Further development of this process may be interesting for the commercial production of LiMn2O4 for Li-ion batteries.