The effect of manganese oxide precursors on the characteristics of LiMn₂O₄ cathode particles

Manganese oxide particles with nanometre and several micrometre sizes were prepared by spray pyrolysis from aqueous and polymeric spray solutions. The LiMn₂O₄ particles prepared from Mn₂O₃ particles obtained from an aqueous solution with a manganese nitrate precursor had micrometre sizes and a spherical shape. On the other hand, the LiMn₂O₄ particles prepared from nano-sized Mn₂O₃ particles obtained from polymeric spray solutions had a fine size, a narrow size distribution, and regular morphology irrespective of the type of manganese precursors. The discharge capacities of the LiMn₂O₄ particles obtained from an aqueous spray solution with a manganese nitrate precursor dropped from 136 to 115 mAh/g by the 25 th cycle at a current density of 0.1 C. On the other hand, the discharge capacities of the LiMn₂O₄ particles obtained from a polymeric spray solution with a manganese nitrate precursor dropped from 121 to 105 mAh/g.