Synthesis and characterization of LiFePO4/C nanocomposites

LiFePO4/C nanocomposites have been synthesized by solid state reaction using iron oxalate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and lithium carbonate as LiFePO4 precursors while carbon black was used as a carbon source. The mixtures were treated in a tubular oven under argon atmosphere at a temperature of 650 ∘C and time intervals ranging between 2.5 and 1 hour for the three differently obtained samples. The effects of the time and temperature on their synthesis were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and magnetic measurements to determine the valence of iron. Carbon content in the composites was determined by means of EDX and Rietveld refinements.