Improved high-voltage performance of FePO4-coated LiCoO2 by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

The generation of hot spots on the surface of LiCoO2 by microwave-induced selective heating is shown to facilitate a uniform hydrothermal coating of FePO4. This is achieved by heterogeneous nucleation of FePO4 in the bulk solution, with the resulting coating layer found to be highly conformal. Furthermore, morphology of the LiCoO2 is preserved with no aggregation of the FePO4 nanoparticles. This FePO4-coated LiCoO2 exhibits markedly improved capacity retention of over 92% under a high charge voltage cutoff of 4.7 V, even after 50 cycles. (C) 2014 Elsevier E.V. All rights reserved.