Columnar-grown porous films of lithium manganese oxide spinel (LiMn2O4) prepared by ultrasonic spray deposition

Using LiNO3 and Mn(Ac)2 as raw materials, ultrasonic spray deposition (USD) technique was used to fabricate LiMn2O4 films on platinum substrate at different substrate temperatures from 310 to 390 °C. The prepared thick films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical performance of the USD-derived films was also evaluated with LiMn2O4/Li cells. It is found that all of the LiMn2O4 films are porous and composed of orderly oriented columnar particles. The substrate temperature affects the fine microstructure of the columnar particles. The film prepared at 360 °C substrate temperature give rise to best electrochemical behavior.