Lithium iron silicate sol-gel synthesis and electrochemical investigation

Li2FeSiO4 was synthesized through Sol-Gel method and the effect of calcination temperature, time and chelating agent concentration were investigated. Appropriate calcination temperature above 550 °C was determined by TG/DTA analysis. Afterward, the dried gel powder was calcined at each temperature of 650 °C, 700 °C and 750 °C for 1, 2 and 3 h. XRD studies illustrated the most appropriate calcination temperature of 700 °C for 1 h. To compare the effect of chelating agent concentration, citric acid with molar ratio of 1/3, 2/3 and 1 were used which 1/3 was determined as the best concentration. FE-SEM observation showed that mean grain is size lower than 100 nm. By using this material, a three electrodes test cell was assembled and its electrochemical properties were investigated. The results showed high charge capacity which could be achieved at current density of 0.05C.