Controllable synthesis of N-C@LiFePO4 nanospheres as advanced cathode of lithium ion batteries

Exploring advanced cathode materials is critical for the development of large-scale lithium ion storage. Herein we report nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) coated LiFePO4 nanospheres (N-C@LFP) synthesized by a facile hydrothermal plus chemical polymerization method. N-C@LFP nanospsheres exhibit diameters of 400-700 nm and show core-shell structure with a thin N-C layer of similar to 2.5 nm. As a cathode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), N-C@LFP nanospheres present excellent electrochemical performance with higher electrochemical reactivity, better reversibility and smaller polarization as compared to the unmodified pristine LiFePO4 nanospheres. The N-C@LFP electrode delivers superior specific capacity of 158.4 mAh g(_1) after 200 cycles at 1 C and good rate capability (107.5 mAh g(-1) at 30 C). The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the conductive N-C layer coating with fast ion/electron transfer. The N-C@LFP nanospheres are thus promising for commercial application in high-energy & power LIBs. (c) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.