Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized LiFePO4 cathode materials prepared by a citric acid-based sol-gel route

LiFePO4/carbon composite cathode materials were synthesised by a sol-gel route. The citric acid in the developed process acts not only as a complexing agent but also as a carbon source, which improves the conductivity of the composites and hinders the growth of LiFePO4 particles. Nano-sized LiFePO4...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry 2004-09, Vol.14 (17), p.2690-2695
Main Authors: HSU, Kuei-Feng, TSAY, Sun-Yuan, HWANG, Bing-Joe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Materials science
Physics
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Summary:LiFePO4/carbon composite cathode materials were synthesised by a sol-gel route. The citric acid in the developed process acts not only as a complexing agent but also as a carbon source, which improves the conductivity of the composites and hinders the growth of LiFePO4 particles. Nano-sized LiFePO4 particles without the impurity phase were successfully prepared. LiFePO4 particles with a grain size in the range of 20-30 nm were obtained at calcination temperatures from 450 to 850 C. Increasing the calcination temperature in this range decreases the carbon content but increases the conductivity of the composites. However, the conductivity slightly decreases if the calcination temperature further increases to 950 C. The LiFePO4/carbon composite prepared at 850 C shows the highest conductivity (10 exp(-3) S/cm), the highest specific capacity, and the best rate capability among the materials. The cell performance of the LiFePO4 depends on the electrochemical cycling procedure employed. 20 refs.
ISSN:0959-9428
1364-5501
DOI:10.1039/b406774f