Plate-like LiFePO4/C composite with preferential (010) lattice plane synthesized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted hydrothermal carbonization

• Plate-like LiFePO4/C composite was hydrothermally synthesized with assist of CTAB.
• The LiFePO4/C electrode exhibits high-rate ability, cyclic stability and a high tap density.
• A facile way was proposed to prepare carbon-coated LiFePO4 with oriented (010) facet.

Plate-like LiFePO4/C composite with preferential (010) lattice plane is successfully prepared via cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted in-situ hydrothermal carbonization synthesis. The structure, morphology and electrochemical property of the as-obtained products are studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution trans mission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and galvanostatic charge–discharge test, respectively. Due to the synergism of uniform carbon coating enhancing transfer efficiency of electrons and preferential growth of (010) lattice plane facilitating diffusion of Li-ions, the LiFePO4/C composite shows excellent electrochemical performance. The as-obtained products deliver high-rate capacities of 125 mAh g−1at 10 C and 110 mAh g−1 at 20 C, while preserving a high tap density of 1.3 g cm−3.