Molten salt synthesis of LiMn2O4 using chloride–carbonate melt

Lithium manganese oxide powders have been successfully prepared by molten salt synthesis (MSS) route using the eutectic mixture of LiCl, MnCl2·4H2O and Li2CO3 salts. The synthesis was performed at 700 °C using an electrical resistance furnace. The crystalline powders were characterized using TGA/DTA, XRD, FT-IR, AAS, CHNS, EDAX, EPR and SEM analyses. The lattice constant value for LiMn2O4 is a = 8.1834 Å. The FT-IR spectrum, exhibits the high-frequency bands located at 611 and 500 cm−1 are associated with the asymmetric stretching modes of the MnO6 group. The Raman spectrum shows a strong band located at 644 cm−1 may be assigned to A 1g mode, which corresponds to the symmetric Mn–O stretching vibration of MnO6 groups. The average particle size of LiMn2O4 crystals is found to be between 25 and 35 μm. It is concluded that the possibility of preparing fine crystalline LiMn2O4 powders with appreciable purity using low temperature molten salt synthesis route.