Shape and Size Control of LiFePO4 for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Olivine-type LiFePO4, which is an extensively employed cathode material in lithium-ion batteries, has attracted much attention due to its abundance, low cost, low toxicity, and high thermal stability. However, low electronic conductivity and sluggish lithium-ion diffusion in LiFePO4 result in poor rate capability, which seriously limits its applications in next-generation green and sustainable power systems. Extensive efforts have focused on exploring efficient synthetic approaches to optimize its performance by controlling the particle size and shape. In this Review, we first summarize the typical synthetic methods for LiFePO4 and follow with a discussion of the correlation between LiFePO4 crystal size/morphology and the associated electrochemical performance. Our overview seeks to provide insightful guidance for the design of high-performance lithium-ion batteries with highly efficient and cost-effective LiFePO4 cathode materials.