Ultrasound assisted synthesis of nano-sized lithium cobalt oxide.

Nano-sized HT-LiCoO(2) powders were prepared by sonochemical synthesis in an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide containing cobalt hydroxide at approximately 80 degrees C without any further heat treatment at high temperature. The effects of the LiOH concentration, oxidation conditions, ultrasound irradiation time and temperature on the formation of the nano-sized HT-LiCoO(2) phase were investigated. The formation of the HT-LiCoO(2) phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The TEM images showed the presence of HT-LiCoO(2) aggregates with a mean particle diameter of approximately 20 nm. The reaction mechanism of the ultrasound assisted synthesis of nano-sized LiCoO(2) was proposed on the basis of the XRD, X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis and TEM observation of the reaction products taken during the course of the synthesis.