Uniform 8LiFePO4•Li3V2(PO4)3/C nanoflakes for high-performance Li-ion batteries

The synthesis of novel nanostructures at high temperatures is a big challenge because of the particle growth and aggregations. In particular, the fabrication of two active components with uniform structures is rarely reported. Herein, uniform 8LiFePO(4)center dot Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C nanoflakes have been synthesized by a one-pot, solid-state reaction in molten hydrocarbon, where the oleic acid functions as a surfactant. The composite components of LiFePO4 and Li3V2(PO4)(3) are distributed homogenously within the nanoflakes. Moreover, the nanoflakes are coated by in-situ generated carbon from oleic acid during the sintering process in H-2/Ar. The as-prepared 8LiFePO(4)center dot Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C nanoflakes are approximately 20-50 nm in thickness and are stacked together to construct a porous structure, which have a surface area of 30.21 m(2) g(-1). The lithium ion diffusion coefficient can be greatly improved by making 8LiFePO(4)center dot Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C composite. As cathode material for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared material exhibits excellent electrochemical performances, including high reversible capacity, good cyclic stability and rate capability. The composite electrode delivers a high capacity of 161.5 mAh g(-1) at 0.1C, which is very close to the theoretical capacity. Even at 10C, the electrode can deliver a specific discharge capacity of 118.6 mA h g(-1). After the long-term 1000 cycles, the electrodes can still retain 93.21% and 88.7% of its maximum specific discharge capacities at the rates of 2C and 5C, respectively. The results demonstrate the 8LiFePO(4)center dot Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C nanoflakes are promising cathode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.