Porous micro-spherical LiFePO4/CNT nanocomposite for high-performance Li-ion battery cathode material

Abstract

Although many routes have been developed that can efficiently improve the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathodes for Li-ion batteries, few of them meet the urgent industrial requirements of large-scale production, low cost and excellent performance. In this work, using a hydrothermal synthetic process followed by high-temperature lithiation, we are able to design a porous micro-spherical LFP/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite. The efficient combination of the inner CNTs and the outer carbon layer along with the porous structure of the LFP/CNT nanocomposite lead to its excellent electrochemical performance. As a cathode material for Li-ion batteries, the discharge capacity of the nanocomposite can reach 122 mA h g⁻¹ at 20 C. After 500 cycles, a capacity retention of 94.3% can be reached at 1 C. Because of the facile and easily scaled up synthetic method, low-cost raw materials and excellent electrochemical performance, the as-designed LFP/CNT nanocomposite can be expected to be a potential cathode candidate for Li-ion batteries.