Porous LiMn0.7Fe0.3PO4–C prepared by a thermal decomposition method as high performance cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Micrometer LiMn_0.7Fe_0.3PO₄–C particles consisting of nanopores are prepared using MnPO₄·H₂O as the precursor. The nanopores were formed by the thermal decomposition of the precursor. Fe doping and carbon coating were realized in one step during the heat treatment. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as the carbon source and milled with the other precursor to form the carbon coating throughout the whole micrometer particle sample. Due to the short ion transportation distance of the active materials caused by the nanopores, the composite displays high discharge capacity, and good rate capability and cycle stability. With only 4% carbon, the capacity of LiMn_0.7Fe_0.3PO₄–C reaches 132 mA h g⁻¹ under the galvanostatic charge–discharge mode, and 140 mA h g⁻¹ under the constant current–constant voltage (CC–CV) charge mode.