LiFePO4/CA cathode nanocomposite with 3D conductive network structure for Li-ion battery

Abstract

A novel LiFePO4/Carbon aerogel (LFP/CA) nanocomposite with 3D conductive network structure was synthesized by using carbon aerogels as both template and conductive framework, and subsequently wet impregnating LiFePO4 precursor inside. The LFP/CA nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG, SEM, TEM, nitrogen sorption, electrochemical impedance spectra and charge/discharge test. It was found that the LFP/CA featured a 3D conductive network structure with LiFePO4 nanoparticles ca. 10–30 nm coated on the inside wall of the pore of CA. The LFP/CA electrodes delivered discharge capacity for LiFePO4 of 157.4, 147.2, 139.7, 116.3 and 91.8 mA h g−1 at 1 °C, 5 °C, 10 °C, 20 °C and 40 °C, respectively. In addition, the LFP/CA electrode exhibited good cycling performance, which lost less than 1% of discharge capacity over 100 cycles at a rate of 10 °C. The good high rate performances of LiFePO4 were attributed to the unique 3D conductive network structure of the nanocomposite.