Controllable growth of LiFePO4 microplates of (010) and (001) lattice planes for Li ion batteries: A case of the growth manner on the Li ion diffusion coefficient and electrochemical performance

Two different LiFePO4 microplates grown in parallel with (010) and (001) lattice planes were obtained using a controllable hydrothermal process. The as-synthesized materials were characterized physically and electrochemically. XRD, SEM and HRTEM investigations confirmed the preferred growth and two corresponding growth mechanisms based on nucleation and recrystallization process were proposed. The calculation of Li ion diffusion coefficient along [001] and [010] directions using CV and EIS results revealed that (010) microplates have a higher diffusion coefficient than the (001) ones, implying a good electrochemical performance for (010) microplates over the (001) ones. Capacity tests confirmed the above assumption. Both the two cathode materials showed high specific capacities, and the (010) microplates exhibit a value around 158 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.5C, showing a great advantage of (010) microplates for future application in LIBs for EV application.