Impact of glucose on the electrochemical performance of nano-LiCoPO4 cathode for Li-ion batteries

LiCoPO4 nanoparticles were synthesized by standard and glucose-assisted sol-gel methods for use as cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. The effect of glucose on the characteristics of the formed LiCoPO4 nanoparticles was investigated by TGA, XRD, and FESEM. The TGA results indicated gradual decomposition of glucose in the temperature range 400-700 A degrees C. The XRD results showed olivine phases in addition to small traces of Co3O4 for samples calcined at 400 A degrees C while pure olivine phases were confirmed for the 700 A degrees C calcined samples. The addition of glucose strongly suggests promotion of LiCoPO4 crystallization, as revealed by FESEM studies. The electrochemical measurements pertaining to LiCoPO4 samples calcined at 400 A degrees C suggested an enhancement of initial discharge capacity from 103.3 to 144.6 mAh/g for the standard and glucose-based electrodes, respectively. Further, the effects of conductive additive and excess lithium on the electrochemical performance of LiCoPO4 have also been investigated.