Process optimization and electrochemical properties of lithium manganate cathode for rechargeable batteries

The phase formation behavior and the electrochemical properties of chemical solution-derived LiMn2O4 (LMO) powders calcined in the temperature range of 400–850 °C for 1–15 h have been studied. It was found that the lattice parameters and the crystallite size increase, whereas the lattice strain decreases with the increase in calcination temperature. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests of these powders were performed in a test cell using Li metal foil as counter/reference electrode. Powders annealed at 700 °C for 15 h yielded best electrochemical performance. The characteristics of the CV plots were analyzed on the basis of phase purity, crystallite size and lattice strain of the calcined LMO powders.