Hierarchically Porous Monolithic LiFePO₄/Carbon Composite Electrode Materials for High Power Lithium Ion Batteries

A novel method for the preparation of hierarchically porous LiFePO 4 electrode materials for lithium ion batteries has been investigated. A meso/macroporous carbon monolith, a conductive framework, was prepared and infiltrated with the LiFePO 4 precursors to increase the electrode/electrolyte interface and improve the rate capability of the battery. The final LiFePO 4 /carbon monoliths feature a meso/macroporous hierarchical structure. The monoliths were calcined at increasing temperatures, from 650 to 800 °C, to determine the structural and sintering effects on the electrochemical properties of the materials. The samples were characterized using SEM, TEM, nitrogen sorption, and XRD analysis prior to electrochemical testing. The results showed that the capacity of the LiFePO 4 /carbon electrodes achieved 82% of the theoretical capacity at 0.1C discharge rate.