Hierarchically porous LiFePO4/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes composite as a cathode for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A porous composite of LiFePO₄/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) with hierarchical structure was prepared by a sol–gel method without templates or surfactants. Highly conductive and uniformly dispersed N-CNTs incorporated into three dimensional interlaced porous LiFePO₄ can facilitate the electronic and lithium ion diffusion rate. The LiFePO₄/N-CNTs composites deliver a reversible discharge capacity of 138 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 17 mA g⁻¹ while the LiFePO₄/CNTs composites only deliver 113 mA h g⁻¹, demonstrating N-CNTs modified composites can act as a promising cathode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.