Novel precursor of Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O for synthesizing LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 cathode material

A brand new method for synthesizing Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O is attained in this paper. During this process, pure flake-like Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O precipitate is prepared using C2H5OH as initiator. Besides that, LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4/C is successfully synthesized from the Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O precursor at 650 °C for the first time. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are applied in the characterization of the Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O precursor and LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4/C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is also used to investigate the morphology of LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4/C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and galvanostatic charge and discharge test are employed to characterize the Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O precursor and LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 material, respectively. The as-prepared LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4/C material exhibited a reversible capacity of 131 mAh g−1 at 0.05 C. It can be confirmed that the incorporation of Fe into LiMnPO4 can significantly improve the electrochemical properties for improving the conductivity of the material and facilitating the Li+ diffusion. In addition, a capacity of 120 mAh g−1 is still delivered at 0.05 C rate with a capacity retention of about 91% after 25 cycles, and reversible capacity can reach 105 mAh g−1 at 1 C.

► Pure Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O was successfully prepared using C2H5OH for the first time.
► The process for synthesizing Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O is easy and low-cost.
► LiMnPO4 and LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 were first prepared via the Mn(PO3(OH))·3H2O precursor.
► The LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4/C material exhibited a good reversible capacity.