Synthesis of flower-like LiMnPO4/C with precipitated NH4MnPO4·H2O as precursor

Ammonium magnesium phosphate monohydrate (NH4MnPO4·H2O) precursor was prepared by a novel precipitating process with manganese citrate complexes as intermediate. The morphology of the precursor observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was flower-like which was self-assembled by plate-like particles. Further analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the lattice of the plate crystal was orientated along (0 1 0) plane. By solid-state reaction of the precursor, with lithium acetate and glucose as carbon source, pure olivine structured LiMnPO4/C composite was obtained and meanwhile, the original flower-like morphology could be retained.

► Flower-like NH4MnPO4·H2O is obtained by novel precipitating method. ► It is used as the precursor to synthesize LiMnPO4/C. ► Subsequent heat treatment would not destroy the precursor morphology. ► As-prepared LiMnPO4/C showed discharge capacity of 85 mAh/g at 0.05 C.