Electrochemical properties of carbon-mixed LiFePO4 cathode material synthesized by the ceramic granulation method

Abstract LiFePO4/carbon composite cathode material was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as carbon source by pelleting and subsequent pyrolysis in N2. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and TGA. Their electrochemical performance was investigated in terms of charge–discharge cycling behavior. It consists of a single LiFePO4 phase and amorphous carbon. The special micro-morphology via the process is favorable for electrochemical properties. The discharge capacity of the LiFePO4/C composite was 145 mAh/g, closer to the theoretical specific capacity of 170 mAh/g at 0.1 C low current density. At 3 C modest current density, the specific capacity was about 80 mAh/g, which can satisfy for transportation applications if having a more planar discharge flat.