Electrochemical Performance of High-Voltage LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 Cathode with Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte

Electrochemical properties of LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 cathode were investigated with gel polymer electrolyte (GPE). To access fast and efficient transport of ions and electrons during the charge/discharge process, a pure and well-crystallized LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 cathode material was directly synthesized via spray-pyrolysis method. For high operation voltage, polyaciylonitrile (PAN)-based gel polymer electrolyte was then prepared by electrospinning process. The gel polymer electrolyte showed high ionic conductivity of 2.9 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 25 degrees C and good electrochemical stability. Li/GEP/LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4 cell delivered a discharge capacity of 159 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C rate that was close to the theoretical value (170 mAh g(-1)). The cell allows stable cycle performance (99.3% capacity retention) with discharge capacity of 133.5 mAh g(-1) for over 300 cycles at 1 C rate and exhibits high rate-capability. PAN-based gel polymer is a suitable electrolyte for application in LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/Li batteries with perspective in high energy density and safety.