Biosynthesis of LiFePO 4 /C cathode materials by a sol-gel route for use in lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Based on the concepts of green science and environmental protection, LiFePO 4 /C is successfully encapsulated by the biomineralization of nontoxic and pollution-free yeast. A novel biosynthetic sol-gel method is applied to prepare LiFePO 4 /C, leading to an excellent electrochemical performance compared with that of conventional LiFePO 4 . Yeast acts as a biocarbon source in the preparation process. The effects of sintering temperature on the electrochemical properties of LiFePO 4 /C are studied. LiFePO 4 /C synthesized at 800°C exhibits the best rate capacity of 158.3 mAh/g at 0.1 C, and the discharge capacity remains at 94.3 mAh/g at 5 C after 100 cycles. These results prove that LiFePO 4 /C synthesized at 800°C has the promise to be a positive-anode active material with excellent properties.