Molten salt synthesis of LiGd_0·01Mn_1·99O₄ using chloride–carbonate melt

Abstract

AbstractGadolinium substituted LiMn2O4 powders have been synthesised by molten salt route for application in lithium batteries. The thermal behaviour of precursor salts has been studied using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses. The formation of the compound is in the temperature range of 600–700°C. X-ray powder diffraction pattern confirms the presence of single phase cubic structure of LiGd0·01Mn1·99O4. The lattice parameter is found to be a = 8·2539 Å. The stretching vibrations of the metal cations are determined from the Raman spectrum. The stretching vibration frequency of the MnO6 bond decreases since the atomic mass of Gd3+ ions is higher than that of Mn3+ ions. The paramagnetic behaviour of the compounds was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum shows a narrow signal centred at g = 2·0. The morphological features of the powders were examined using scanning electron microscopy. It reveals that the average particle size of LiGd0·01Mn1·99O4 is found to be 5–10 μm.Keywords: LiGd0·01Mn1·99O4Molten salt synthesisElectron paramagnetic spectroscopyRare earth ion The authors sincerely thank the Director of the Central Electrochemical and Research Institute for his kind permission and the faculty of the institution to carry out this work.