Effect of surfactants on the electrochemical behavior of LiFePO₄cathode material for lithium ion batteries

By Bazzi, K.; Mandal, B.P.; Nazri, M.; Naik, V.M.; Garg, V.K.; Oliveira, A.C.; Vaishnava, P.P.; Nazri, G.A. & Naik, R.
Published in Journal of Power Sources NULL 2014

Abstract

The application of lithium iron phosphate as positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries has been challenged by its poor electronic conductivity. To improve its conductivity and electrochemical performance, we have synthesized LiFePO₄/C composite cathode materials by sol gel technique using long chain fatty acids, such as, lauric, myristic, and oleic acids, as surfactants for carbon coating. The phase purity of the three LiFePO₄/C composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the surfactants coat the LiFePO₄ particles with carbon with varying degree of uniformity depending on the surfactant used. The sample prepared in presence of lauric acid shows smaller particle size and the lowest charge transfer resistance, higher Li-ion diffusion coefficient, higher discharge capacity (∼155 mAh g⁻¹ at C/3 rate), better rate capability and cyclic stability compared to the other two samples. We found the smaller particle size, uniformity of carbon coating, reduced agglomeration, and a lower amount of Fe³⁺ impurity phase in the samples to be major contributing factors for better electrochemical properties in the LiFePO₄/C cathode material.

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