Solvothermal synthesis of LiFePO 4 nanorods as high-performance cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Well-dispersed LiFePO 4 nanorods in diameter of ca. 70 nm and length of 90–150 nm are prepared via a solvothermal method in the water-ethylene glycol (1:15, v/v) mixture. The microstructure and crystal orientation are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of carbon content on the electrochemical performances of LiFePO 4 nanorods are investigated. Benefiting from the oriented nanorods and the optimized conductive carbon network, the LiFePO 4 /C composites exhibit remarkable cycling stability and high rate capacity. The LiFePO 4 /C including 9 wt% carbon delivers a large discharge capacity of 120 mAh g −1 at 10 C rate with the capacity retention of 83% after 2000 cycles. Furthermore, the capacity retention of LiFePO 4 /C with 6 wt% carbon is up to 96% after 150 cycles at elevated temperature (50 °C) at 1 C rate.