Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of LiMn2−xAlxO4 powders prepared by mechanical alloying and rotary heating

LiMn2−xAlxO4 (<f>0.0&les;x&les;0.10</f>) intercalation powders have been synthesized by mechanical alloying followed by rotary heating. The precursor of LiMn2−xAlxO4 has been prepared using LiOH <f>·</f> H2O, MnO2, and Al2O3 by mechanical alloying, which ensured a high level of homogeneity in the chemical composition of the precursor and resulted in a reduction in the synthesis temperature and heating time. Highly crystallized LiMn2−xAlxO4 powders were obtained by subsequent rotary heating of the precursor at 600 °C for 3 h. Rotary heating enhanced the experimental control in particle size distribution of the final products. The synthesized LiMn2−xAlxO4 powder has a narrow particle size distribution, high discharge capacities and good cycleability. Compared with the conventional solid-state reaction process, the present method of mechanical alloying combined with rotary heating should be a suitable technique of decreasing synthesis temperature and shortening heating time, and enhancing the uniformity of particle size of the product. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]