LiFePO₄/C composites from carbothermal reduction method

Using the cheap raw materials lithium carbonate, iron phosphate, and carbon, LiFePO₄/C composite can be obtained from the carbothermal reduction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) observations were used to investigate the structure and morphology of LiFePO₄/C. The LiFePO₄ particles were coated by smaller carbon particles. LiFePO₄/C obtained at 750 °C presents good electrochemical performance with an initial discharge capacity of 133 mAh/g, capacity retention of 128 mAh/g after 20 cycles, and a diffusion coefficient of lithium ions in the LiFePO₄/C of 8.80∈×∈10 ^-13 cm²/s, which is just a little lower than that of LiFePO₄/C obtained from the solid-state reaction (9. 20∈×∈10^-13 cm²/s) by using FeC ₂O₄ as a precursor.