title: A facile route to modify ferrous phosphate and its use as an iron-containing resource for LiFePO4 via a polyol process.
abstract: This study introduces an economical and environmentally friendly way of synthesizing LiFePO4/C to be used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries via two processes: (1) the synthesis of LiFePO4/C cathode material using a low cost divalent precursor ferrous phosphate, Fe3 (PO4)2·8H2O, as iron source in a polyol process and (2) the modification of the morphology of this precursor by varying the reaction time in a coprecipitation process. The study examines the effects of different structures and morphologies of the precursor on the structure and electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized LiFePO4/C. The LiFePO4/C shows an excellent rate capability and cycle performance, with initial discharge capacities of 153, 128, and 106 mA h g(-1) at 1 C, 5 C, and 10 C. The capacity retention is respectively 98.7%, 98.2%, and 98.7%, after 10 cycles at the corresponding rates. The capacity retention remains at 97% even after 300 cycles at the rate of 10 C. The outstanding electrochemical performance can be attributed to the improved rate of Li(+) diffusion and the excellent crystallinity of synthesized LiFePO4/C powders through the modified precursor. Therefore, this is an economical and environmentally friendly way of synthesizing LiFePO4/C to be used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries.
authors.affiliation: Chengdu Development Center of Science and Technology, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Chengdu Green Energy and Green Manufacturing Technology Center , Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610207, China.
authors.forename: Shaomin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xichuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yinchuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Woon-min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mei