Improving electrochemical performances of LiFePO_4 /C cathode material via a novel three-layer electrode

As an improvement on the conventional two-layer electrode （active material layerlcurrent collector）, a novel sandwich-like three-layer electrode （conductive layerlactive material layertcurrent collector） for cathode material LiFePO4/C was introduced in order to improve its electrochemical performance. LiFePO4/C in the three-layer electrode exhibited superior rate capability in comparison with that in the two-layer electrode in accordance with charge-discharge examination. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that Fe3＋/Fe2＋ redox couple for LiFePO4 in the three-layer electrode displayed faster kinetics, better reversibility and much lower charge transfer resistance than that in the two-layer electrode in electrochemical process. For three-layer electrode, the holes in the surface of active material layer were filled by smaller acetylene black grains, which formed electrical connections and provided more pathways to electron transport to/from LiFePO4/C particles exposed to the bulk electrolyte.

Effects of Co^(2+)Doping on the Crystal Structure and Electrochemical Performance of LiFePO_4

Co2＋-doped LiFePO4/C composite material was prepared by solid-state synthesis method using Fe2O3,Li2CO3 and NH4H2PO4 as the starting materials.The structures and elec-trochemical performance of samples were studied by XRD,SEM and constant current charge-discharge method.The results showed that the Co2＋ doping did not change the crystal structure of LiFePO4.The unit cell volume changed with the increase of Co2＋,and reached the maximum at x = 0.04.The LiFe0.96Co0.04PO4/C sample proved the best electrochemical properties.Its initial discharge capacity was 138.5 mA·h /g at 1 C rate.After 30 cycles,the capacity remained 127.7 mA·h /g,and the capacity retention rate was 92.2%.

A Facile Route for Synthesis of LiFePO_4/C Cathode Material with Nano-sized Primary Particles

A facile and practical route was introduced to prepare LiFePO4/C cathode material with nano-sized primary particles and excellent electrochemical performance. LiH2PO4 was synthesized by using H3PO4 and LiOH as raw materials. Then, as-prepared LiH2PO4, reduced iron powder andα-D-glucose were ball-milled, dried and sin-tered to prepare LiFePO4/C. X-ray diffractometry was used to characterize LiH2PO4, ball-milled product and LiFePO4/C. Differential scanning calorimeter-thermo gravimetric analysis was applied to investigate possible reac-tions in sintering and find suitable temperature for LiFePO4 formation. Scanning electron microscopy was em-ployed for the morphology of LiFePO4/C. As-prepared LiH2PO4 is characterized to be in P21cn（33） space group, which reacts with reduced iron powder to form Li3PO4, Fe3（PO4）2 and H2 in ball-milling and sintering. The appro-priate temperature for LiFePO4/C synthesis is 541.3-976.7 ℃. LiFePO4/C prepared at 700 ℃ presents nano-sized primary particles forming aggregates. Charge-discharge examination indicates that as-prepared LiFePO4/C displays appreciable discharge capacities of 145 and 131 mA·h·g^-1 at 0.1 and 1 C respectively and excellent discharge ca-pacity retention.

Effect of different carbon precursors on properties of LiFePO_4/C

The anoxic decomposition and influence of carbon precursors on the properties of LiFePO_4/C prepared by using Fe_2O_3 were investigated.X-ray powder diffractometry,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and carbon content and charge–discharge tests were applied to the characterization of the as-synthesized cathodes.Partial carbon is lost in the anaerobic decomposition of organic precursors and a high hydrogen content leads to a high residual carbon rate.Pyromellitic anhydride and citric acid participate in reactions before and in ball-milling.All the chosen carbon precursors are capable of producing LiFePO_4 with high degree of crystallinity and purity.The carbon derived from α-D-glucose,pyromellitic anhydride,soluble starch,citric acid and polyacrylamide has a loose and porous texture in LiFePO_4/C which forms conduction on and between LiFePO_4 particles.LiFePO_4/C prepared by using α-D-glucose,pyromellitic anhydride,citric acid and sucrose exhibits appreciable electrochemical performance.Graphite alone is able to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiFePO_4 to a limited extent but incapable of preparing practical cathode.

Effects of temperature variation on Li_xFe PO_4/C(0

Li Fe PO4/C was prepared via solid state reaction and characterized with X-ray powder diffraction and charge–discharge test. As-prepared Li Fe PO4/C has a triphylite structure and exhibits an excellent rate capability and capacity retention. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) was applied to investigate LixFe PO4/C(0<x<1) electrode on temperature variation. The valid equivalent circuit for EIS fitting was determined which contains an intercalation capacitance for Li+ ion accumulation and consumption in the electrode reaction. The surface layer impedance needs to be included in the equivalent circuit when Li Fe PO4/C is deeply delithiated at a relatively high temperature. EIS examination indicates that a temperature rise leads to a better reversibility, lower charge transfer resistance, higher exchange current density J0 and greater Li+ ion diffusion coefficient for the LixFe PO4/C electrode process. The Li+ ion concentration in LixFe PO4/C is potential to impact the Li+ ion diffusion coefficient, and a decrease in the former results in an increase in the latter.