Li1±xNi0.5Mn1.5O4(x=0.05,0) spinel powders were synthesized using a solid-state reaction.Their structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.Their electrochemical properties for use as active cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries were measured.The LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4,Li1.05Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 and Li0.95Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 samples crystallized in Fd 3m,Fd 3m and P4332,respectively.The LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 and Li0.95Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 samples exhibited better cycle performance than the Li1.05Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 sample,while Li0.95Ni0.5Mn1.5O4 had the worst rate performance.Thus,it appears unnecessary to introduce nominal lithium nonstoichiometry in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 electrode materials.
Nanosized Li4Ti5O12 powders are synthesized by a polymerization-based method using ti- tanium butoxide and lithium nitrate as precursors and furfuryl alcohol as a polymerizable solvent. The prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Braunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） analysis. The electrochemical performances of these Li4Ti5O12 powders are also studied. The effect of different surfactants including citric acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide on the structure and properties is also investigated. It is found that pure spinel phase of Li4Ti5O12 is obtained at an annealing temperature of 700 ℃ or higher. The use of surfactants can improve the powder morphology of nanosized particles with less agglomeration. With suitable annealing temperature and the addition of surfaetant, Li4Ti5O12 powders with high BET surface area and favorable electrochemical performance can be obtained.
