Synthesis of spinel LiMn₂O₄ powders by the drip pyrolysis in fluidized bed reactor

A simple technique has been developed to directly produce fine ceramics powders from liquid solution by drip pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor. Using this technique, the preparation of lithium manganese oxides LiMn₂O₄, which are the most promising cathode materials for lithium ion battery, has been carried out for various superficial gas velocities U_o = 0.30-0.91 m/s, concentrations of precursor solution C_o = 0.45-4.50 mol/dm³ and static bed heights L_s = 50-150 mm. The as-prepared samples exhibited a pure cubic spinel structure without any impurities in the XRD patterns, and the chemical composition of as-prepared powders showed in a good agreement with the one of precursor solution. The as-prepared sample was used as cathode active materials for lithium-ion battery and their charge/discharge properties have been investigated. Test experiments in the electrochemical cell Li 1M LiCIO₄ in PC LiMn₂O₄ demonstrated that the sample, prepared by the drip pyrolysis method and then calciend at 750°C for 4 h in the air, was a promising cathode material for 4 V lithium-ion batteries.