Synthesis of LiFePO 4 material with improved cycling performance under harsh conditions

Abstract

LiFePO 4 material was synthesized at 670 °C in an Ar atmosphere using a sol–gel method. This material showed a well developed XRD pattern (orthorhombic structure, Pnma) without any peaks at 2 θ = 41°, indicating the absence of FeP or metallic Fe 2P impurities. The Li/LiFePO 4 cell showed a high initial discharge capacity of more than 150 mA h/g and no capacity decrease until the 70th cycle (>99.9%). This cell also exhibits excellent cycle performance at high current densities of over 30C, without any surface treatment or carbon coating onto the LiFePO 4 particles.