Characterization and Microstructural Studies of LiFe5O8 Synthesized by the Self Propagating High Temperature Combustion Method

LiFe5O8 was synthesized by self-propagating high tempurature combustion synthesis using lithium acetate and iron acetate as starting materials and glycine as reductant. The reaction was rapid when the ignition temperature was reached and the product was a light and porous mass of solid material. Analysis using X-Ray powder diffraction and SEM revealed the amorphous nature of the LiFe5O8 precursor material. From particle size analysis, the precursor material was much less than 100nm, but increased upon annealing at 650 oC and 900 oC.