Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical performance of Li2FeSiO4/C for lithium-ion batteries

Li2FeSiO4/C was synthesized from a mixture of Li2SiO3, FeC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O, citric acid and sucrose via a simple solid-state, high-temperature treatment. The Li2SiO3 produced via the simple ball-milling of LiOH center dot H2O and H2SiO3 can simultaneously provides Li and Si. The resulting Li2FeSiO4/C sample was characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The amount of carbon coated on the Li2FeSiO4/C particles is approximately 8.98 wt%, which can increase the conductivity of the materials. However, byproduct LiFeO2 appears in the as-synthesized sample. The obtained Li2FeSiO4/C sample exhibits an initial discharge capacity that exceeds 170 mA h g(-1) and a cyclic discharge capacity of approximately 120 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 10 mA g(-1) under room temperature.