High-performance LiMnPO4 nanorods synthesized via a facile EG-assisted solvothermal approach

Abstract

Novel LiMnPO₄ nanorods have been successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal approach in a mixed solvent of ethylene glycol (EG) and water (11 : 1, vol.). The as-prepared LiMnPO₄ sample is of single crystalline and has a rod-like morphology with a small size especially a thin thickness of less than 50 nm along the [010] direction, which is expected to favour faster lithium-ion extraction/insertion reactions. Detailed investigations indicate that EG plays an important role in the formation of the LiMnPO₄ nanorods by effectively regulating the morphology, size, and crystal orientation. Benefiting from the special rod-like morphology and the uniform thin carbon coating, the LiMnPO₄/C composite nanorods exhibit a high reversible capacity of 168 mA h g⁻¹ and 110 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.05 C and 10 C, respectively, and a remarkable stable capacity retention of ∼94.5% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C.