Hayk Khachatryan

Combustion synthesis of lithium cobaltate

A feasibility of combustion synthesis of lithium cobaltate powders using oxide sources was investigated. Cobalt oxide Co3O4 and lithium carbonate Li2CO3 were used as starting reactants. Two different oxidizers were explored: (i) ammonia nitrate NH4NO3 and (ii) lithium nitrate LiNO3. Some organic reducers (ORs)—such as CH-polymers, melamine, urotropine, etc.—were used as a fuel. Investigated was the effect of green composition/density and inert gas pressure on combustion parameters (burning velocity and combustion temperature) and product micro structure/composition. Best results were obtained for LiNO3-Co3O4-OR blends. Relative green density ρ was found to have a crucial effect: good results might be obtained only for ρ > 65%. XRD data testified that the combustion products obtained in optimized conditions contained pure lithium cobaltate LiCoO2. According to SEM data, the obtained powders had a mean particle size of 20 μm.