Synthetic strategies for better battery performance through advances in materials and chemistry: Olivine LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4

Olivine LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4 powder synthesized via wet chemistry route sol–gel and combustion showed desirable features like reduced particles size with conductive coatings on the surface and well cation ordering with respect to the traditional solid state reaction. The morphological homogeneity is achieved through complexing agents employed (chelating agent/fuel) resulting in high pure material even for substitution of multi divalent cations (Co and Mn) for Ni in LiNiPO4. The low sintering temperature prevents the particle agglomeration without any compromise on the degree of crystallinity. The experimental conditions are very similar for both sol–gel and combustion, except for the reaction inducers (chelating agent and fuel) that influenced the composition and the particle size between them. The mixed transition-metal olivine (LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4) cathodes synthesized by sol–gel and combustion methods are compared and their electrochemical properties are discussed. Structural analyses of the synthesized samples showed substitution of mixed cations crystallizes in the olivine structure. The improved morphology achieved for combustion synthesis resulted in better specific capacity with good capacity retention than for the sol–gel counterpart.

► Metal ion doped olivine LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4 was successfully synthesized.
► Combustion method achieved the desired phase and particle size distribution.
► Carbon coating enhanced the ionic conductivity of the olivine cathode.
► Improved morphology resulted in better battery performance.
► Role of chelating agent and fuel have determined the cell capacity.