Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Li3V2(PO4)3/C nanocomposite cathode material for high-capacity and high-rate Li-ion batteries

Abstract

A three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material with small-sized macropores (50–140 nm) is successfully synthesized using a colloidal crystal array. The 3DOM architecture is built up from fully densely sintered Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C nanocomposite ceramics particles. Such a 3DOM Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C micrometer sized particle combines the advantages of both Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanocrystal and micrometer sized particle. The resultant 3DOM Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C nanocomposite exhibits a stable and highly reversible discharge capacity up to 151 mA g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, and an excellent high-rate capability of 132 mA g⁻¹ at 5 C in the voltage range of 3.0–4.4 V. Compared to the corresponding bulk nanocomposite, the 3DOM Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode exhibits a significantly improved high-rate performance, which promises new opportunities in the development of high energy and high power lithium-ion batteries.