Particle morphology and electrochemical performances of spinel LiMn2O4 powders synthesized using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Spinel lithium manganese oxide LiMn2O4 powders with submicron, narrow-size-distribution, and phase-pure particles were synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method from an aqueous lithium nitrate and manganese acetate solution. A tubular furnace with six independently controlled heating zones was used in this synthesis. The effect of axial temperature profile in the aerosol flow reactor on the particle properties of as-prepared LiMn2O4 powders was examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spinel LiMn2O4 powders were successfully synthesized at both constant temperature distribution (1073 K) and increasing one (473-473-673-873-1073-1073 K) in the reactor at various gas flow rates ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 dm(3)/min. The as-prepared samples were used as cathode active materials for lithium-ion battery and their charge/discharge properties have been investigated. Their electrochemical properties in terms of cycle performance were also discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.