Solvothermal synthesis of Mn2P2O7 and its application in lithium-ion battery

Manganese pyrophosphate, Mn2P2O7 was synthesized by a simple solvothermal method using Mn metal powder and P2S5 in ethylene glycol medium at 190-220 degrees C. Morphology and crystalline structure of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The flower-like microspheres with diameters of about 2-5 mu m are composed of a number of nanoplatelets with thickness of 20-40 nm. The effect of reaction temperature and reaction time on the microstructure of Mn2P2O7 was investigated. The samples were used as active anode materials for lithium-ion battery and their electrochemical properties were examined by constant current charge-discharge cycling. The Mn2P2O7 electrodes exhibited initial reversible capacities of 440-330 mAh g(-1) depending on the synthetic conditions. From these results, a possible reaction mechanism of Mn2P2O7 with lithium was proposed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.