Facile low-temperature polyol process for LiFePO4 nanoplate and carbon nanotube composite

• Novel LiFePO4 nanoplate and carbon nanotube composites were synthesized.
• Crystalline LiFePO4 nanoplates were obtained by the low temperature polyol process.
• Carbon nanotubes were evenly distributed and embedded into the plate like LiFePO4 particles.
• The composite network structures offer favorable transport speed for both Li ions and electrons.
• The facile process is potential to be extended for other composite materials.

Crystalline LiFePO4 nanoplates were incorporated with 5 wt.% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a facile low temperature polyol process, in one single step without any post heat treatment. The CNTs were embedded into the LiFePO4 particles to form a network to enhance the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 electrode for lithium-ion battery applications. The structural and morphological characters of the LiFePO4–CNT composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and charge/discharge tests. Primary results showed that well crystallized olivine-type structure without any impurity phases was developed, and the LiFePO4–CNT composites exhibited good electrochemical performance, with a reversible specific capacity of 155 mAh g−1 at the current rate of 10 mA g−1, and a capacity retention ratio close to 100% after 100 cycles.

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