Hydrothermal synthesis of spindle-shape and craggy-faced LiFePO4/C composite materials for high power Li-ion battery

•Spindle-shape and craggy-faced LiFePO4/C were prepared via hydrothermal method.•Pyrogallic acid plays a vital role to control the morphology of the particles prepared.•Pyrogallic acid also serves as reducing agent and carbon source.•Material prepared with 8 wt.% pyrogallic acid has a better electrochemical capacity.

The large surface area and excellent conductivity are two important factors for LiFePO4 to achieve high power capability in Li-ion batteries. This paper presents a hydrothermal method to obtain large surface, spindle-shape and carbon-coated LiFePO4 particles. Pyrogallic acid was added to serve as reducing agent, surface growth directing template and carbon source to synthesize craggy-faced LiFePO4/C composite materials. It helps to control the morphology and implement carbon coating on the particles. The LiFePO4/C particle synthesized with 8 wt.% pyrogallic acid demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance, cyclic ability and rate capability.

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