Practical microwave-assisted solid-state synthesis of the spinel LiMn2O4

The spinet LiMn2O4 was obtained by a microwave-assisted solid-state reaction between LiOH center dot H2O and epsilon-MnO2 in a practical setup using a domestic microwave oven. XRD analyses showed that the spinet LiMn2O4 was obtained as a single phase after only 3 min of microwave heating. SEM micrographs revealed particles having a prismatic morphology and sizes in the 0.5-1.5 mu m range. The characteristic voltammetric profile of the spinet LiMn2O4 was obtained for the synthesized material, while its charge - discharge tests presented good electrochemical stability and a significant initial specific capacity (95 mA h g(-1)) at a high discharge rate (C/1). These results indicate that a rapid and facile microwave-assisted synthesis can yield the spinet LiMn2O4 with adequate properties to be used as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.