Synthesis of the LiFePO4/C core-shell nanocomposite using a nano-FePO4/polythiophene as an iron source

For the first time, a LiFePO4/C core-shell nanocomposite has been synthesized using a nano-FePO4/polythiophene (PTh) as an iron source. With this method, the PTh is in situ polymerized to restrain the growth of FePO4 particles, and the typical size of FePO4/PTh particles is in the range of 20-50 nm. The optimized LiFePO4/C nanocomposite is synthesized at 750 degrees C using 40% citric acid. The prepared LiFePO4 particles show a typical size of 50-100 nm and they are fully coated by carbon of 2-4 nm thickness. The LiFePO4/C core-shell nanocomposite gives an improved high electronic conductivity and a good electrochemical behavior at high rates. Thus, this novel method is an effective and facile strategy to improve the rate performance of the LiFePO4 cathode. (C) 2011 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.