Phospho-olivines as cathode materials for lithium ion battery: Trends on microwave synthesis

Abstract

In recently years, scientific research has been focused on finding new sources of efficient energy storage and lithium batteries are one of the most outstanding alternatives. Nowadays, investigation on cathode materials constitute one of the key factors of lithium rechargeable batteries studies. Recently, oxides with olivine structures has triggered the battery field, due to its excellent electrochemical properties, crystal stability, energy density, power capacity and are not expensive. However, the demand and development of more enhanced cathode materials can be achieved by the use of sophisticated synthetic methods. The purpose of this article is to provide a perspective to the materials community on the opportunities and limitations of nanostructured materials by highlighting examples in synthesis, fundamental studies and applications on microwave synthesis as novel route to obtain high voltage phospho-olivines. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.