Low-temperature self-mixing combustion synthesis of spinel LiMn2O4: effect of igniting temperatures

In this paper, a low-temperature self-mixing combustion synthesis method was introduced to prepare spinel LiMn2O4. Low-melting raw materials and fuel (acetate salts as starting materials and urea as fuel) were molten to a homogeneous liquid mixture at similar to 100 degrees C. The mixture was then ignited and calcined at a higher temperature, final products were obtained. The products were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electric microscope (SEM). XRD analysis indicated that product with higher purity was obtained at 550 degrees C for 5h when the molar ratio of Li:Mn:urea=1:2:4. The impurity Mn2O3 was appeared in the products when the igniting temperature >600 degrees C, and the content of Mn2O3 increased with the increasing igniting temperatures. SEM investigation indicated that the particles of the products were small and agglomerated. The igniting temperature monitoring indicated that the combustion reaction rate increased with increasing igniting temperature, and this did not favor for the formation of LiMn2O4.