A novel method to synthesize Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite and its electrochemical Li intercalation performances

Monoclinic Li(3)V(2)(PO(4))(3)/C composite materials are synthesized from a sucrose-containing precursor by one-step heat treatment. As-prepared composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltarnmetric (CV) technology and charge/discharge measurement. XRD patterns show that Li(3)PO(4) impurity phase appears in the sample synthesized at 600 degrees C and pure Li(3)V(2)(PO(4))(3) samples can be obtained when the sintered temperature is higher than 700 degrees C. The sample synthesized at 700 degrees C presents the highest initial capacity of 170 mAh g(-1) (at C/5 rate), and exhibits better cycling stability (142 mAh g(-1) at 50th cycle at C/5 rate) and better rate capability (137 mAh g(-1) at 30th cycle under 1C rate) in the voltage range of 3.0-4.8 V. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.