LiFePO4 with enhanced performance synthesized by a novel synthetic route

Pure LiFePO4 was synthesized by heating an amorphous LiFePO4. The amorphous LiFePO4 obtained through lithiation of FePO4 center dot xH(2)O by using oxalic acid as a novel reducing agent at room temperature. FePO4 center dot xH(2)O was prepared through co-precipitation by employing FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O and H3PO4 as raw materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed that LiFePO4 composites with fine particle sizes between 100 nm and 200 nm, and with homogenous sizes distribution. The electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 powder synthesized at 500 degrees C were evaluated using coin cells by galvanostatic charge/discharge. The synthesized LiFePO4 composites showed a high electrochemical capacity of 166 mAh g(-1) at the 0.1 C rate, and possessed a favorable capacity cycling maintenance at the 0.1 C, 0.2 C, 0.5 C and 1 C rate. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.