Lithium manganese oxides from Li2MnO3 for rechargeable lithium battery applications

Electrochemically active lithium-manganese-oxide phases have been synthesized by chemical leaching of Li2O from the rock salt phase Li2MnO3 (Li2O.MnO2) with acid at 25°C. Preliminary electrochemical tests have shown that capacities of approximately 200 mAh/g based on the mass of the lithium-manganese oxide electrode can be obtained in room-temperature lithium cells, and that capacities in excess of 140 mAh/g can be achieved on cycling. Although a detailed structure analysis of an extensively delithiated sample has not yet been undertaken, it is believed that it may be a novel layered lithium-manganese oxide compound Li2−xMnO3−x2 (0