Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite with nitrogen-doped-carbon coating and nanoporous graphene oxide

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped carbon coated Li3V2(PO4)3/C (LVP/C) composite materials with sucrose, chitosan, and nanoporous graphene oxide were prepared via two routes, i.e., the solid-state and sol–gel methods. The electrochemical performances of LVP/C composites were examined and compared. All LVP/C materials with the same amount of carbon sources were sintered at 800 °C for 12 h. The galvanostatic charge–discharge test was conducted in the potential range of 3–4.8 V at various C rates. The discharge capacities of the LVP/C composites via the solid-state and sol–gel methods were 157 and 187 mA h g−1, respectively, at 0.1C; however, they were 108 and 112 mA h g−1, respectively, at 10C. The sol–gel method clearly demonstrated the most desirable performance among two routes. LVP/C composite exhibited excellent charge retention performance, ca. 94% and 96% for 100 cycles at 1C and 5C. Nitrogen-doped-carbon coated LVP/C composite with nanoporous graphene shows a promising candidate for Li ion battery high-power applications.