Synthesis of LiFePO4/C cathode materials by carbothermal reduction method using two kinds of Fe3+ precursors

Abstract

LiFePO4/C cathode materials were synthesized by carbothermal reduction method using FePO4 and citrate ferric (FeC 6H5O75H2O) as Fe3+ precursors. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and charge-discharge test. The results showed that both the crystallization degree and particle size increased markedly with the increase of synthesis temperature. Among the synthesized cathode materials, LiFePO4/C prepared at 650°C showed the best electrochemical properties with an initial discharge specific capacity of 138 mAhg-1 at 0.2 C, 128 mAhg-1 at 0.5 C and 116 mAhg-1 at 1.0 C, respectively. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.