A facile ultrasound assisted high temperature ball milling synthesis of LiFePO4/graphene with enhanced electrochemical performance

LiFePO4/graphene (LiFePO4/G) cathode material was prepared by a facile ultrasound assisted high temperature ball milling method. Ultrasound assisted was found to be effective to promote the dispersing of the precursor in solution. Physical and electrochemical properties of LiFePO4/G were studied. The results exhibited that graphene combined with the LiFePO4 clusters giving rise to a conductive network. LiFePO4/G displayed a well-crystallized LiFePO4 structure and excellent electrochemical performance. The initial discharge capacities of LiFePO4/G were 162.8, 156.8, 151.9, 145.8, 137.5 and 121.6 mAhg−1 at rates of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10 C, respectively. Moreover, at 0.1 C-rate, the capacity was 160.4 mAhg−1 over 100 cycles with a capacity retention of 98.5%. It is concluded that graphene is a conductive additive which can enhance the electrochemical properties of LiFePO4.