Comparison of the microwave-induced combustion and solid-state reaction for the synthesis of LiMn2O4 powder and their electrochemical properties

In the current research, we proposed a new method called microwave-induced combustion synthesis to produce LiMn2O4 powders. The microwave-induced combustion synthesis entails the dissolution of metal nitrates, and urea in water, and then heating the resulting solution in a microwave oven. Spinel LiMn2O4 powders were successfully synthesized by microwave-induced combustion. The microwave-heated LiMn2O4 powders annealed at various temperatures in the range of 600–800 °C were determined. The resultant powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The annealed samples were used as cathode materials for lithium-ion battery, for which their discharge capacity and electrochemical characteristic properties in terms of cycle performance were also investigated. The LiMn2O4 cell provides a high initial capacity of 133 mAh/g and excellent reversibility. The excellent capacity and reversibility were attributed to LiMn2O4 powders with small and uniform particle size produced by microwave-induced combustion synthesis.