Ultrafast Microwave Synthesis of Carbon-Coated Lithium Vanadium Phosphate Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Carbon-coated lithium vanadium phosphate cathode materials were successfully prepared via an ultra-fast microwave irradiation route in 5 min with using activated carbon as the microwave adsorbent. We aimed to utilize this ultra-fast and facile route to shorten the synthesis procedure for obtaining Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material with superior rate capability. To characterize the intrinsic crystal structure and exterior architecture morphology of targeted material, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied in experiment. The role of microwave irradiation treatment time in affecting the crystalline structure and related lithium-storage electrochemical performance is also investigated in detail. For the optimal Li3V2(PO4)3/C material, it delivered a specific discharge capacity of 110.1 mAh g−1 at a 0.2 C charging/discharging rate while hold a superior cycling stability over 50 cycles when tested at a 1 C rate. The ultra-fast synthesis route should pave a new way to save the energy in the preparation of phosphate-based electroactive cathode material.

Understanding the structural phase transitions in lithium vanadium phosphate cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Inconspicuous two-phase reaction during Li0V2(PO4)3–Li2V2(PO4)3 phase transition in Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode.

Synthesis of Promising Cathode Material for Lithium Polymer Batteries

Original method for synthesis of lithium vanadium phosphate was developed. The method includes two stages: 1st, synthesis of iron phosphate from a mixture of ammonium dihydrophosphate and metal oxide; and 2st, synthesis of lithium vanadium phosphate by thermal lithiation of the product obtained in the 1st stage, with mechanical activation of the precursor in the course of plastic deformation. Our results would provide some basis for further improvement on the Li3V2(PO4)3 electrode materials for advance lithium-ion batteries.