Solvothermal synthesis of LiFePO4 nanorods as high-performance cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Well-dispersed LiFePO4 nanorods in diameter of ca. 70 nm and length of 90-150 nm are prepared via a solvothermal method in the water-ethylene glycol (1:15, v/v) mixture. The microstructure and crystal orientation are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of carbon content on the electrochemical performances of LiFePO4 nanorods are investigated. Benefiting from the oriented nanorods and the optimized conductive carbon network, the LiFePO4/C composites exhibit remarkable cycling stability and high rate capacity. The LiFePO4/C including 9 wt% carbon delivers a large discharge capacity of 120 mAh g(-1) at 10 C rate with the capacity retention of 83% after 2000 cycles. Furthermore, the capacity retention of LiFePO4/C with 6 wt% carbon is up to 96% after 150 cycles at elevated temperature (50 degrees C) at 1 C rate. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.