On the Synergistic Effect of Carbonate Anion Directed Shape Controlled Morphology and Super P Carbon in Preparing LiFePO4/C Cathode With Improved Lithium Intercalation Behavior

• Main Authors: N. Kalaiselvi, D. Bhuvaneswari, C. H. Doh
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Modified mechano thermal (MMT) method; conventional mechano thermal (CMT) method; lithium iron phosphate; lithium batteries; Carbonic acid
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.657.4145; http://electrochemsci.org/papers/vol5/5111597.pdf

A simple and carbonic acid directed modified mechano thermal (MMT) method is identified to produce morphology controlled nano rods of LiFePO4/C composite. The added carbonic acid plays a vital role in controlling the morphology (CO32- inhibition effect) and the formation of rod-like structure that results from the unidirectional escape of CO2 gas upon calcination. MMT synthesized LiFePO4/C cathode containing 2 wt. % conducting graphite exhibits a nominal specific capacity of 129 mAhg-1, while the corresponding LiFePO4/C with 2 wt. % nickel coated graphite delivers 100 mAhg-1 capacity. On the other hand, MMT synthesized LiFePO4/C composite cathode consisting of 2 wt. % super P carbon exhibits an appreciable capacity of 160 mAhg-1 with an acceptable rate capability behaviour. The synergistic effect of shape controlled morphology (resulting from MMT synthesis approach) and the addition of super P carbon in improving the electrochemical behavior of LiFePO4/C composite cathode is demonstrated in the present study.