A practical and effective strategy for the thin and uniform carbon layer onto LiCoPO4 cathode surface in terms of the rate capability and cycle stability

Abstract

Nanoscale pure LiCoPO4 and LiCoPO4/C materials were successfully synthesized as excellent quality cathode materials for high-voltage and high energy density lithium-ion applications. These materials are simply produced by combined magnetron power and the solvothermal method followed by heat treatment. Analyses show that distribution of a surface coated with carbon, 5-7 nm thickness by tannic acid and nanostructured LiCoPO4/C cathode exhibits a higher and stable reversible capacity (155.2 mAh g(-1)) with the long voltage plateau nearly 4.8 V. Furthermore, this cathode exhibits capacity retention as 91% after 80 cycles and this value makes it one of the highest of those reported to date. The LiCoPO4/C electrode is produced simultaneously under high pressure and using microwave energy and this has an influence on excellent cycling behavior. The obtained results prove that a production dynamics in nano-synthesis and coating process with proper carbon source reveal parameters to synthesis favorable cathode materials. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.