Technology Outline (Process Description)

Sol-gel synthesis has been established for scaled-up synthesis of cathode material. Sol-gel synthesis in brief: LiMn2O4 will be synthesized using lithium acetate and manganese (II) acetate tetrahydrate dissolved in de-ionized water (DIW). Citric acid monohydrate dissolved in DIW and all the solutions will be stirred under 40 ⁰C for 15 minutes. Subsequently, lithium and manganese salts were mixed while continuously stirring under 40 ⁰C. Next, citric acid solution was added and further, the mixed solution will be heated under continuous stirring at 80 ⁰C for 48 hours to remove the solvent. A brownish gel that forms will be pre-annealed at 450 ⁰C for 10 h to eliminate all the organic content presented in the sample. The pre-annealed samples will then be annealed at different temperatures between 700 and 900 ⁰C to obtain required material properties. Hydrothermal process will be scaled-up for anode material synthesis. Synthesis of lithium titanate nanoparticles is utilizing a hydrothermal/solvothermal process and in a typical procedure, LiOH dissolved in deionized water followed by drop wise addition of titanium isopropoxide. Upon complete dissolution, ammonia will be added with the above mixture. The hot clear solution will be transferred to hydrothermal system and processed at 150-200°C for 12-36 h. The resultant was washed and annealed (400-700°C) to obtain well crystallized nanoparticles.