Facile synthesis of Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite with a complex morphology and its excellent electrochemical performance as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A carbon-coated Li3V2(PO4)3/C (LVP/C) cathode material was directly fabricated in this work using a modified sol-gel combustion method. The LVP/C composite exhibited excellent rate capacity and cycle performance. Initial discharge capacities of LIBs with cathode containing this composite as active material were 122.2, 112.3, 107.7, 104.4 and 97.3 mAh g−1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 C, respectively, in the 3–4.3 V voltage range. At 10 C discharge rate, initial discharge capacity equal to 90.5 mAh g−1 and 91.8% capacity retention after 200 cycles were obtained. Such outstanding performance was attributed to good crystallinity of LVP/C composite as well as its complex morphology of porous particles and needle-like crystals with uniform carbon coating. Carbon-coated porous LVP/C composite with a complex morphology is a promising cathode material. Synthesis of this composite based on this modified sol-gel combustion provides a facile and effective way to fabricate high-performance materials.