A novel preparation route for multi-doped LiFePO4/C from spent electroless nickel plating solution

Multi-doped LiFePO4/C is prepared by using spent electroless nickel plating solution as a raw material. Spent electroless nickel plating solution without post-treatment provides source materials of phosphorus, carbon, nickel and other dopants for preparing multi-doped LiFePO4/C. XRD and Rietveld refinement show that the obtained multi-doped LiFePO4/C is single olivine-type phase and well crystallized, Ni, Co and Mn atoms occupy Fe site. SEM and elemental mapping images indicate that the sample presents a fine particle size between 200 and 300 nm, and a homogeneous elemental distribution in its contexture. TEM image shows that a nanoscale carbon layer with the thickness of 2-3 nm is coated compactly onto the surface of the sample. The charge-discharge tests demonstrate that the multi-doped LiFePO4/C gives outstanding capacity of 160.1, 152.4, 146.6, 141.3, 137.2, 126.0 and 110.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 C, respectively, and exhibits excellent cycling performance.