Formation of lithium-cobalt spinel oxide (LixCo3 − xO4) by solid-state reaction of a Li2CO3-Co3O4 powder mixture

The formation of mixed lithium-cobalt spinel oxide LixCo3 − xO4 by solid-state reaction in air at low temperature between Li2CO3 and Co3O4 in the atomic ratio LiCo 1.0 has been investigated by DTG, DTA, and X-ray diffraction measurements. Lithiated Co3O4was formed around 220 °C. As at this temperature the diffusion rate of lithium ions into Co3O4 lattice is very low, it can be assumed that only the surface of Co3O4 particles was lithiated. By increasing the temperature above 380 °C, LiCoO2 formation occurred.