Abstract
Synthesis of $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was attempted by the conventional solid-state reaction method, and the phase formation behavior according to the change of the calcination condition was investigated. When the mixture of the three source materials, $Li_2O$, MnO and $SiO_2$ powders, were used for calcination in air, it was difficult to develop the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ phase because the oxidation number of $Mn^{2+}$ could not be maintained. Therefore, two-step calcination was applied: $Li_2SiO_3$ was made from $Li_2O$ and $SiO_2$ at the first step, and $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was synthesized from $Li_2SiO_3$ and MnO at the second step. It was easy to make $Li_2MnSiO_3$ from $Li_2O$ and $SiO_2$. $Li_2MnSiO_4$ single phase was developed by the calcination at $900^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr in Ar atmosphere as the oxidation of $Mn^{2+}$ was prevented. However, the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was ${\gamma}-Li_2MnSiO_4$, one of the polymorph of $Li_2MnSiO_4$, which could not be used as the cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. By applying the additional low temperature annealing at $400^{\circ}C$, the single phase ${\beta}-Li_2MnSiO_4$ powder was synthesized successfully through the phase transition from ${\gamma}$ to ${\beta}$ phase.