Morphology and agglomeration control of LiMnPO$_4$ micro- and nanocrystals

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis can precisely control the size, shape, and agglomeration of LiMnPO₄ micro- and nanocrystals by adjusting precursor concentration and pH, enabling tailored material properties.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate LiMnPO₄ crystal morphology and agglomeration through synthesis parameter adjustments, providing a comprehensive phase diagram for control.

Findings

Particle sizes ranged from 10 mm to a few 100 nm.

Various crystal shapes such as prisms, plates, cuboids, and rods were achieved.

A phase diagram for agglomeration behavior was developed.

Abstract

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis was used to grow LiMnPO$_4$ micro- and nanocrystals from acetate precursors. By appropriate adjustment of the precursor concentration and the pH-value of the reactant, the product composition and purity along with the crystal size can be manipulated, resulting in particle-dimensions from around 10 mm down to a few 100 nm. Prisms and plates with hexagonal basal face as well as cuboid and rod-like particles were produced. The effects on the crystal morphology as well as on the materials texture and agglomeration tendency are discussed and a comprehensive agglomeration phase diagram is constructed.