A distilled-water assisted solid-state method for preparing LiFePO4 using α-Fe2O3 as the iron source

Abstract

For the first time, LiFePO4 was successfully prepared from a distilled water-assisted solid-state method, i.e., a mixture containing α-Fe2O3, (NH4)2HPO4, LiOH, glucose and oxalic acid was dissolved into hot distilled water leading to a bright yellow-green solution, and then this solution was evaporated at 120°C, directly generating to a brown and fluffy powder, lastly, the well-ground powder was heated in a carbon-coated crucible at 700°C, presenting the product of LiFePO4. The obtained samples were featured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and its specific capacity, cycle property and rate capabilities were also measured. Encouragingly, compared to the previously reported value, satisfactory results were acquired. This method, without inert gas flow, is a very simple and useful tool to synthesize LiFePO4, especially for the industrial application.