Enhanced electrochemical performance of boron-doped graphene-decorated LiFePO4@C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

In this research, the boron-doped graphene-decorated and carbon-coated LiFePO4 composite has been successfully designed and fabricated through a facile sol-gel approach followed by the thermal treatment. XRD results reveal that the as-fabricated composite shows a well-crystallized LiFePO4 phase without no other impurities. The well-dispersed carbon-coated LiFePO4 particles are embedded in the boron-doped graphene sheets, forming the effective conductive networks. Compared with the carbon-coated LiFePO4 electrode, the boron-doped graphene-decorated and carbon-coated LiFePO4 composite displays superior rate capability and cyclic stability when used as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Electrochemical performances indicate that the boron-doped graphene-decorated and carbon-coated LiFePO4 electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 162.2 mAh g−1 at 0.1C. Even at a high rate of 20C, it can still deliver a high discharge capacity of 109.9 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles with a capacity retention of 95.2%, demonstrating a stable cyclic performance.