| abstract |
A spinel oxide, Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , is synthesized by a solution phase oxidation reaction of Mn 2+ with lithium peroxide in the presence of excess lithium hydroxide, followed by firing at T≦500° C. This material may be useful as a cathode for rechargeable lithium batteries. Samples fired at 400° C. and 500° C. show an initial capacity of, respectively, 160 mAh/g and 153 mAh/g, in the voltage range 3.3-2.3 V. These capacities are close to the theoretical value. The sample fired at 500° C. shows excellent cyclability with <2% capacity decline over 40 cycles. |