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 dm3/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.