Optimized lithium iron phosphate for high-rate electrochemical applications

Structural and electrochemical properties of a new highly rechargeable lithium iron phosphate are described here. Its behavior as cathodic material was also tested in a complete power system based on a nanocrystalline Li4Ti5O12 anode and a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte (1 mol L-1 LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate). This cell operates with a very flat voltage profile at around 2 V, with very little capacity fading upon cycling, even at a very high rate (4C or 8C). These features, combined with the low cost and the lack of toxicity of the components, make this system an attractive and inexpensive power source for the low voltage electronic market. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.