LiMnPO4 Nanoparticles Prepared through the Reaction between Li3PO4 and Molten Aqua-complex of MnSO4

The olivine-type compound LiMnPO 4 was prepared via a reaction between Li 3 PO 4 and a MnSO 4 aqueous solution under hydrothermal conditions at 190°C. The specific surface area and particle morphology of LiMnPO 4 changed depending on the amount of water in the reaction mixtures, and the particle size decreased as the amount of water decreased. It was found that nanosized LiMnPO 4 particles of ca. 50 nm can be prepared through the reaction between Li 3 PO 4 and the molten aqua-complex of MnSO 4 • n H 2 O ( n = 4 or 5). Galvanostatic charge and discharge tests revealed that the electrochemical reactivity of LiMnPO 4 at 30°C increased as the particle size decreased. The small particle size contributes to the decrease in the overpotential for Mn 2+/3+ redox and to the increase in the utilization of LiMnPO 4 as an active material in the cathode of lithium batteries.