Direct formation of LiFePO4/graphene composite via microwave-assisted polyol process

• One-step synthesis of LiFePO4 particles and graphene nanosheets simultaneously.
• Microwave-assisted polyol reaction directly produces LFP/GNs composite cathode.
• The LFP/GNs cathode exhibited enhanced electrochemical properties versus lithium.
• The study offers opportunities to produce graphene based composite electrodes.

The present study reports on the direct synthesis of LiFePO4 nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets to form a composite cathode (LFP/GNs) in a one-step microwave-assisted polyol reaction. The polyol reaction induced by microwave irradiation for a few minutes produces nanocrystalline LFP and graphene nanosheets simultaneously from lithium, iron and phosphorus and carbon (5 wt% of graphite oxide) sources, respectively, used as starting precursors. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies on microwave-reacted sample obtained using just graphite oxide confirms the formation of graphene nanosheets separately. Whereas, electron microscopy studies on the LFP/GNs composite reveals that olivine nanoparticles of average sizes ranging between 5 and 20 nm are well-dispersed on the graphene nanosheets. Electrochemical measurements reveal that the LiFePO4/GNs nanocomposite cathodes registered enhanced discharge capacities (79 and 108 mAh g−1 for the as-prepared and annealed composite cathodes, respectively) at 32 C rates with good capacity retention capabilities. The AC impedance measurements confirm that the enhanced cathode properties of the LFP/GNs nanocomposite are ascribed to the improved electronic conductivity of the graphene nanosheets and the nano-sized particles. The slightly better electrochemical properties of the annealed LFP/GNs are attributed to its higher crystallinity.

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