Enhanced electrochemical performance of unique morphological LiMnPO4/C cathode material prepared by solvothermal method

The LiMnPO4/C composite material with ordered olivine structure was synthesized in 1:1(v/v) enthanol–water mixed solvent in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at 240 ∘C. Rod-like particle morphology of the resulting LiMnPO4/C powder with a uniform particle dimension of 150 × 600 nm was observed by using scanning electron microscope and the amount of carbon coated on the particle surface was evaluated as 2.2wt% by thermogravimetric analysis, which is reported for the first time to date for LiMnPO4/C composite. The measurement of the electrochemical performance of the material used in rechargeable lithium ion battery shows that the LiMnPO4/C sample delivers an initial discharge capacity of 126.5 mA h g−1 at a constant current of 0.01 C, which is 74% of the theoretical value of 170 mA h g−1. The electrode shows good rated discharge capability and high electrochemical reversibility when compared with the reported results, which is verified further by the evaluation of the Li ion diffusion coefficient of 5.056×10−14 cm2/s in LiMnPO4/C.