The Sintering Temperature Effect on Electrochemical Properties of LiMn₂O₄

The effect of sintering temperature on the electrochemical property of $LiMn_2O_4$ was investigated. Results showed that the particle size was increased at higher sintering temperatures while the initial capacity was decreased after high temperature sintering. Capacity fading, on the other hand, was suppressed at lower sintering temperatures since the sintering at higher temperatures (${\geq}800^{\circ}C$) increased the Mn ions with a lower oxidation state ($Mn^{+3}$), which induced structural instability during cycling due to dissolution of Mn ions into the electrolyte. In particular, $LiMn_2O_4$ sintered above $830^{\circ}C$ showed severe capacity fading (capacity loss was 38% of initial capacity) by lower coulombic efficiency due to the abnormally increased particle size.