One-Pot Synthesis of Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide-Carbon Composite Nanoparticles by a Flame Spray Pyrolysis Process

The nanoparticles based on nickel-manganese oxide and carbon-coated LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 are synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis technology with controlled particle sizes. The structural properties of nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy. It is observed that the higher surface tension of precursors in the flame spray pyrolysis setup increases the particle sizes. The post annealing treatment significantly enhances the crystallinity of nanoparticles due to the favorable oxidation process and the structure conversion from NiMn 2 O 4 to NiMnO 3 . In addition, the solid-state reaction of as-prepared NiMn 2 O 4 results in the LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 nanoparticles which can be applied to the cathode in Li-ion batteries. The carboncoated LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 nanoparticles are also made by additional carbonization reaction. The control of surface tension of precursors in the flame spray pyrolysis process is expected to result in the small size of nanoparticles, which can result in high cyclic stability and high capacity for Li-ion batteries.