A new solution combustion route to synthesize LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4

Commercially important, high voltage, lithium cathodes, such as LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4 have been synthesized from nitrates, following the 'Soft Chemistry' approach using starch as the combustion assisting component. The mimimum temperature required for phase formation and the degree of crystallinity has been evaluated from thermal studies and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The starch-assisted combustion (SAC) method produces mono-dispersed powders of grain size below 1.5 mm as observed from scanning electron microscopy and particle-size analysis. The electrochemical activity of the synthesized oxide powders has been examined via cyclic voltammetric and charge-discharge studies using lithium coin cells. Cyclic voltammetric data shows excellent reversibility with respect to Li+ and confirms the effect of crystallinity of the compounds on the electrochemical performance of the cathode materials. The electrochemical stability and performance of the cathode over 30 cycles have been demonstrated with a capacity fade of