Synthesis and electrochemistry of LiMn2O4 prepared using succinic acid as complexing agent

Single phase spinel-LiMn2O4 has been synthesized from the methanolic solution of metal acetates and succinic acid as a complexing agent by soft-chemistry technique. Shorter heat-treatment time, narrow particle size distribution, smaller crystallite size, better control of morphology, and low formation temperature of the synthesized materials are the advantages of this technique. The formation temperature of LiMn2O4 has been found to be as low as 300 degrees C in this method of preparation. The dependence of crystallinity of LiMn2O4 with heat treatment temperature has been studied. The physical properties of the synthesized product have been investigated by structural (XRD), spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) and thermal (DTA/TG) analyses. The electrochemical performance of the material has been evaluated by employing it as cathode in Li//LiMn2O4 cells. LiMn2O4 synthesized by the soft-chemistry method shows a two step delithiation process, which is explained by the change of phases during delithiation, a first step in a single phase and in a second step in a mixed phase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.