Research status and prospects on synthesis of spinel LiMn_2O_4 via sol-gel methods

Synthesis of the positive active materials of spinel LiMn2O4 via sol-gel methods for lithium ion batteries and their future de- velopment were summarized. Sol-gel methods have outstanding advantages in preparing the materials, and great progress has been made in the research work. However, the systematic and thorough study is still lacking, which results in the diffculty to put the technique into industry. The future research work in this field is considered as the follows: fundamental studying of the sol-gel processes, modifying spinel LiMn2O4 by dopants, synthesizing nanocrystalline powders and thin films of spinel LiMn2O4 synthesi- zing spinel LiMn2O4 at lower temperature, optimizing the sol-gel processes, lowering the costs and realizing industrialization.