Solution combustion synthesis of LiMn2O4 fine powders for lithium ion batteries

• LiMn2O4 fine powders were produced by solution combustion synthesis.
• Structure and morphology observation were studied by XRD, SEM and TEM.
• Charge–discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry properties were studied.
• Powders calcined at 900 °C indicated highest initial capacity of 115.6 mAh g−1.
• The sample showed a capacity retention of 93% after 50 cycles.

In this work, fine powders of spinel-type LiMn2O4 as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) were produced by a facile solution combustion synthesis using glycine as fuel and metal nitrates as oxidizers. Single phase of LiMn2O4 products were successfully prepared by SCS with a subsequent calcination treatment at 600–1000 °C. The structure and morphology of the powders were studied in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties were characterized by galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry. The crystallinity, morphology, and size of the products were greatly influenced by the calcination temperature. The sample calcined at 900 °C had good crystallinity and particle sizes between 500 and 1000 nm. It showed the best performance with an initial discharge capacity of 115.6 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of 93% after 50 cycles at a 1 C rate. In comparison, the LiMn2O4 sample prepared by the solid-state reaction showed a lower capacity of around 80 mAh g−1.

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