Improved electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 by increasing its specific surface area

Cathode material LiFePO4 with an excellent rate capability has been successfully prepared by a simple solid state reaction method using LiCH3COO center dot 2H(2)O, FeC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O and (NH4)(2)HPO4 as the starting materials. We have investigated the effects of the sintering temperature and mixing time of the starting materials on the physical properties and electrochemical performance of LiFePO4. It was found that the rate capability of LiFePO4 is mainly controlled by its specific surface area and it is an effective way to improve the rate capability of the sample by increasing its specific surface area. In the present study, our prepared LiFePO4 with a high specific surface area of 24.1 m(2) g(-1) has an excellent rate capability and can deliver 115 mAh g(-1) of reversible capacity even at the 5 C rate. Moreover, we have prepared lithium ion batteries based on LiFePO4 as the cathode material and MCMB as the anode material, which showed an excellent cycling performance. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.