Synthesis, electrochemical, and microstructural study of precursor-derived LiMn2O4 powders

Stable and homogeneous alkoxide precursor solutions of lithium ethoxyethoxide and manganese ethoxyethoxide in 2-ethoxyethanol were synthesized by ligand exchange reaction of lithium isopropoxide and manganese 2-ethoxide, respectively, with 2-ethoxyethanol. [Li–Mn–O] precursor solution was prepared by mixing these modified alkoxide precursor solutions. LiMn2O4 powders were successfully synthesized by pyrolysis of the [Li–Mn–O] precursor powder in O2 temperature as low as 200 °C. The nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 powders 20–50 mm in diameter after heat treatment up to 700 °C consisted of the ordered (111) plane and performed with good cyclability as the cathode materials for Li secondary batteries.