Preparation of LiFePO4 rods, LiFePO4/graphene composite and their electrochemical performances

Authors

N Zhao, Materials Eng, Jiangsu Univrsity, China
X W. Gao, University of WollongongFollow
F Chen, Materials Engineering, Jiangsu University, China
C Liu, Materials Engineering, Jiangsu University, China
L Cao, Materials Engineering, Jiangsu University, China
C L. Zhang, Materials Engineering, Jiangsu University, China
X N. Cheng, Jiangsu University
J Yang, Materials Engineering, Jiangsu University, China

RIS ID

57232

Publication Details

Zhao, N, Gao, XW, Chen, F, Liu, C, Cao, L, Zhang, CL, Cheng, XN & Yang, J (2011), Preparation of LiFePO4 rods, LiFePO4/graphene composite and their electrochemical performances, Materials Technology, 26(5), pp. 232-235.

Abstract

Rod-like LiFePO₄ particles were prepared via solvothermal method using a mixed solution of isopropanol and deionised water as solvent with sucrose and nitrilotriacetic acid as additives. The effects of solvents and additives on the microstructure, chemical composition and morphology of the obtained products were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. Results indicated that nitrilotriacetic acid made an important contribution to the rod-like morphology. The obtained LiFePO₄ particles were further dispersed in graphene oxide sol to prepare the LiFePO₄/graphene composite, followed by heat treating in Ar/H₂ atmosphere. The electrochemical properties of LiFePO₄ and LiFePO₄/graphene composite as cathode in lithium ion cells were tested via galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. Both LiFePO₄ and LiFePO₄/graphene composite demonstrated stable performance over 100 cycles. Compared with pure LiFePO₄, the specific capacity was improved extensively in the LiFePO₄/graphene composite.