One-pot synthesis of CNT-wired LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4 nanocomposites

• CNT-wired LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4 composites are prepared by a one-pot approach.
• CNT wiring improves the conductivity of the composite materials.
• LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4-CNT exhibits a high capacity of 151 mAh g− 1 with stable cycleability.
• CNT-wiring is promising for advanced composite electrodes.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) wired LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4 nanocomposites were readily prepared using a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach. The prepared LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4-CNT is composed of uniform nanoparticles of LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4 intimately interconnected by CNT networks. The electrochemical test results show that the CNT networks play a critical role in maintaining electrical conduction and in ensuring electrode stability of LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4-CNT upon cycling, thus leading to much enhanced electrochemical properties compared with neat LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4. It is found that the LiCo0.5Mn0.5PO4-CNT composite exhibits a high capacity up to 151 mAh g− 1 and an energy density of 620 mWh g− 1, and maintain 92% of the initial capacity after 30 charge/discharge cycles, thereby indicating its potential for energy storage and conversion application.