One-pot synthesis of FePO4·H2O/carbon nanotube coaxial nanocomposite for high rate lithium ion batteries

We developed an environmentally friendly, one-pot, solution-based method to synthesize a FePO4·H2O/carbon nanotube coaxial nanocomposite for lithium ion battery applications without using multi-step, time-consuming processes or hazardous reaction media. The resulting nanocomposite delivered a discharge capacity of 157 mAh g− 1 at a current density of 12.5 mA g− 1, 146 mAh g− 1 at 625 mA g− 1 and 61 mAh g− 1 even at 15,000 mA g− 1. The excellent high rate capability was attributed to the improved electronic conductivity due to the intimate contact between nano-structured FePO4·H2O and CNT, and to the easy access of the electrolyte because of the porous structure of the FePO4·H2O.

► FePO4·H2O/CNT coaxial nanocomposite was synthesized by environmentally benign method.
► FePO4·H2O/CNT coaxial nanocomposite showed improved electronic conductivity compared to the FePO4·H2O-CNT mixture.
► FePO4·H2O/CNT coaxial nanocomposite showed excellent rate performance up to 15000 mAhg– 1 without extra conducting agent.