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Corresponding Author

Ling-Bin KONG(konglb@lut.cn)

Abstract

The LiFePO4/C composite electrode material was synthesized by a moderate in situ carbothermal reduction method at 600 °C using FeCl3.6H2O, LiOH.H2O, and NH4H2PO4 as starting materials, soluble starch sol as a carbon source and a reducing agent. This method is readily reproducible and possibly feasible to carry out large-scale synthesis. The structure and morphology of the LiFePO4/C samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesized LiFePO4/C composite was in pure phase of olivine-type, shows highly crystalline and spherical morphology with the particle sizes in the range of 60 ~ 100 nm. The thickness of the carbon film could be as thin as about 2 nm for the isolated LiFePO4/C particles, and the amount of carbon introduced into the composite was about 5% (by mass). The measured tap density of LiFePO4/C composite was as high as 1.3 g.cm-3 and the initial discharge capacities of LiFePO4/C composite reached 162, 143, 135, 127, 116 and 105 mAh?g-1 at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 5C and 10C rates, respectively. Remarkably, even after 500 cycles at 10C, the capacity of 81 mAh.g-1 could be obtained.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Li ion battery, cathode materials, LiFePO4/C, core-shell structure

Publication Date

2012-08-28

Online Available Date

2012-03-03

Revised Date

2012-02-27

Received Date

2011-11-24

References

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