Li sub(2)FeSiO sub(4) nanorod as high stability electrode for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Hsu, Chun-Han, Shen, Yu-Wen, Chien, Li-Hsuan, Kuo, Ping-Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Bundles; Carbon; Electric potential; Electrochemical analysis; Electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanostructure; Scanning electron microscopy; Stability
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2810-7

Li sub(2)FeSiO sub(4) (LFS) nanorods, with a diameter of 80-100 nm and length of 0.8-1.0 mu m, were synthesized successfully from a mixture of LiOH, FeSO sub(4), and SiO sub(2) nanoparticles via a simple hydrothermal process. The secondary structure with micro-sized bundles of nanorods was developed with high crystallinity under the hydrothermal condition of 180 degree C for 72 h. Then, sucrose, as carbon source, was coated and carbonized on the surface of the LFS nanorods to fabricate LFS/C nanorod composite. The resulting LFS/C nanorod composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and surface area measurements. When used as the cathode materials for lithium-ion battery, the electrochemical performance of the LFS/C nanorod material delivers discharge capacities of 156 mAh g super(-1) in the voltage window of 1.8-4.7 V and also demonstrates good cycle stability when it is cycled between 1.8 and 4.1 V. In short, superior electrochemical properties could be caused by the short lithium-ion diffusion path of its nanorod structure.