Effects of Ag-embedment on electronic and ionic conductivities of LiMnPO4 and its performance as a cathode for lithium-ion batteries

An Ag-embedded LiMnPO4 (LMP) cathode was synthesized by solid-state reaction using a 1 wt% Ag precursor. Structure, morphology, and electrical conductivity studies of Ag-embedded LMP were performed by high resolution powder X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and four probe measurements. An Ag nanoparticle (similar to 26 nm) surrounded by several olivine crystallites within a single particle dramatically improved the overall electrical conductivity of LMP by four orders of magnitude relative to that of pristine LMP, playing roles as conducting bridges among LMP crystallites as well as particles. Rietveld analysis confirmed structural variations related to the modification of atomic bond lengths of Mn-O, P-O, and Li-O coordination due to Ag-embedment and thereby leads to facile Li ion diffusion in LMP. Consequently, although a small amount of Ag was included, the Ag-embedded LMP cathode exhibited outstanding electrochemical performances (92 mA h g(-1) at 10 C) versus lithium.