Confined synthesis of graphene wrapped LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 composite via two step solution phase method as high performance cathode for Li-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 329; pp. 94 - 103
• Main Authors: Xiang, Wei, Wu, Zhen-Guo, Wang, En-Hui, Chen, Ming-Zhe, Song, Yang, Zhang, Ji-Bin, Zhong, Yan-Jun, Chou, Shu-Lei, Luo, Jian-Hong, Guo, Xiao-Dong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.10.2016
• Subjects: Cathode materials; Graphene; Lithium manganese iron phosphate; Sovothermal reaction; Lithium manganese iron phosphate; Sovothermal reaction; Cathode materials; Graphene
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.06.108

A novel strategy for confined synthesis of graphene wrapped nano-sized LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 hybrid composite has been developed, including co-precipitation and solvothermal reactions. The LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 nanoparticles with a constrained diameter of 20 nm are homogeneously wrapped by a continuous interconnected graphene sheets. The mechanism and composite structure evolution during the process are carefully investigated and discussed. With the shortened Li+ diffusion paths and enhanced electron conductivity, the hybrid composite shows high discharge capacity and superior rate performance with the discharge capacities of 166 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and 90 mA h g−1 at 20 C. Excellent cycle stability is also demonstrated with only about 7.8% capacity decay after 500 cycles at 1 C. [Display omitted] •Graphene wrapped LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 is synthesized using Li3PO4/graphene oxide.•The mechanism and composite structure evolution are investigated.•The LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 particles inherit the size of Li3PO4 nanoparticles.•The composite delivers capacity 101.3 mA h g−1 at 10 C.