Nanometer battery materials from explosives

The growth of Li-1+xMn(2)O(4) via detonation reaction was investigated with respect to the presence of energetic precursors, such as the metallic nitrates and the degree of confinement of the explosive charge. The detonation products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the products. Li-1+xMn(2)O(4) with 1 similar to 2 mu m spherical morphology and more uniform secondary particles, but with smaller primary particles of diameters from 20 to 60 nm and a variety of morphologies were found. The oxides produced by this cheap method affirmed the validity of detonation synthesis of nano-size powders.