Effects of phenolic resin on the electrochemical performance of Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode materials

As a kind of lithium-ion battery cathode material, monoclinic lithium vanadium phosphate/carbon Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C was synthesized by adopting phenolic resin as carbon source, both for reducing agent and coating material. The crystal structure and morphology of the samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Galvanostatic charge-discharging experiments and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) were utilized to determine the electrochemical insertion properties of the samples. XRD data revealed that phenolic resin does not change the crystal structure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. Furthermore, the morphology of grains and the electronic conductivity of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C were improved. Galvanostatic charge-discharging and EIS results showed that the optimal electrochemical properties and the minimum charge-transfer resistance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C can be reached when added by 5 wt.% of redundant carbon (except the carbon needed to reduce V⁵⁺ to V³⁺). The initial discharge capacity is 128.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C rate and 101.2 mAh g^?1 at 5 C in the voltage range of 3.0～4.3 V.     

Natural graphite enhanced the electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Natural graphite treated by mechanical activation can be directly applied to the preparation of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ with monoclinic structure was successfully synthesized by using natural graphite as carbon source and reducing agent. The amount of activated graphite is optimized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectrum, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Our results show that Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP)-10G exhibits the highest initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and 162.9 mAh g^?1 at 1 C in the voltage range of 3.0–4.8 V. Therefore, natural graphite is a promising carbon source for LVP cathode material in lithium ion batteries.     

Facile synthesis of Li3V2(Po4)3/C nano-flakes with high-rate performance as cathode material for Li-ion battery

The flake-like Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C has been successfully synthesized by rheological phase method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as template; the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C without PVA assistance has been prepared for comparison. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the two samples are well crystallized, and no impurity phases are detected. The scanning electron microscopy results reveal that there is a significant difference in morphologies between PVA-assisted sample and sample without PVA; the former shows a flake-like morphology, while the latter presents regular granular shape with some agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal that Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ particles are coated with a uniform surface carbon layer. The lattice fringes with a spacing of 0.428 nm can be clearly seen from the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image. The PVA-assisted sample shows a discharge capacity of 120, 110, and 96 mAh g^?1 at 1 C, 20 C, and 50 C, respectively; however, the sample without PVA exhibits a lower discharge capacity. Based on the analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the lithium ion diffusion coefficients of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C and PVA-assisted Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C are 4.19?×?10^?9 and 4.99?×?10^?8 cm² s^?1, respectively. In summary, it is demonstrated that using PVA as a template can obtain flake-like morphology and significantly improve the comprehensive electrochemical performances of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material.     

Li3V2(PO4)3/C和Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C的结构和电化学性能的比较研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法合成了锂离子正极材料Li3V2(PO4)3/C(LVP/C)及Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C,并用XRD、循环伏安及交流阻抗等方法,研究了大量Na+掺杂对材料结构和电化学性能影响。结果表明,大量钠离子的掺杂会使LVP结构由单斜向菱方转变。掺杂化合物Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C在0.5 C充电1 C放电时,首次放电容量为118 mAh.g-1,50次循环后容量保持率为92.4%,并发现与单斜LVP存在多个放电平台不同,Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C仅在3.7 V处有一个放电平台。     

Improving the rate and low-temperature performance of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> by tailoring the form of carbon coating from amorphous to graphene-like

A solid-state reaction process with poly(vinyl alcohol) as the carbon source is developed to synthesize LiFePO₄-based active powders with or without modification assistance of a small amount of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The samples are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that, in addition to the minor effect of a lattice doping in LiFePO₄ by substituting a tiny fraction of Fe²⁺ ions with V³⁺ ions, the change in the form of carbon coating on the surface of LiFePO₄ plays a more important role to improve the electrochemical properties. The carbon changes partially from sp³ to sp² hybridization and thus causes the significant rise in electronic conductivity in the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃-modified LiFePO₄ samples. Compared with the carbon-coated baseline LiFePO₄, the composite material 0.9LiFePO₄·0.1Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ shows totally different carbon morphology and much better electrochemical properties. It delivers specific capacities of 143.6 mAh g^?1 at 10 C rate and 119.2 mAh g^?1 at 20 C rate, respectively. Even at the low temperature of ?20 °C, it delivers a specific capacity of 118.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C.     

溶胶-喷雾干燥法制备纳米Li3V2(PO4)3/C及其电化学性能

本文以LiOH.H2O、NH4VO3、H3PO4和柠檬酸为原料,采用溶胶-喷雾干燥法制备Li3V2(PO4)3/C正极材料,对比了喷雾前驱体直接煅烧与机械活化后煅烧的样品的结构、形貌及其电化学性能。采用XRD、SEM、BET和振实密度测试等对样品的结构、形貌等进行了表征;采用恒流充放电、CV和EIS等手段考察了材料的电化学性能。结果表明,溶胶-喷雾干燥得到的样品为多孔球壳形,其壳体由厚度为100 nm左右的纳米片组成,经机械活化后煅烧保持保持了其纳米片结构,其结晶度与振实密度改善较明显,电化学性能较优异。0.1C放电比容量为123.6 mAh.g-1,10C和20C高倍率放电比容量还高达107.8和106.0 mAh.g-1。电化学阻抗结果表明,由该方法制备的样品具有较小的电荷转移阻抗。     

Comparative investigations of LiVPO4F/C and Li3V2(PO4)3/C synthesized in similar soft chemical route

Triclinic LiVPO₄F and monoclinic Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ are synthesized through a soft chemical process with mechanical activation assist, followed by annealing. In this process, ascorbic acid is used as reducing agent as well as carbon source. The as-prepared samples are coated with amorphous carbon. XPS analysis results show the expected valency states of ions in LiVPO₄F and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The electrochemical properties of the prepared LiVPO₄F/C and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathodes are evaluated. The as-prepared LiVPO₄F/C cathode shows an initial discharge specific capacity of 140?±?3 mAh?g^?1 at 30 mA?g^?1 in the voltage range of 3.0~4.4 V, compared with that of 138?±?3 mAh?g^?1 possessed by Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. Both samples exhibit good cycle performance at different current densities. The capacity delivered by LiVPO₄F remains 95.5 and 91.7 % of its initial discharge capacity after 50 cycles at 150 and 750 mA?g^?1, respectively, while 97.4 and 90.6 % for Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. But the rate capability of LiVPO₄F/C is not so good compared with as-prepared Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C.     

Electrochemical performance of novel Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass-ceramic nanocomposites as electrodes for energy storage devices

The novel Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites were synthesized and investigated as electrodes for energy storage devices. They were fabricated by heat treatment (HT) of 37.5Li₂O–25V₂O₅–37.5P₂O₅?mol% glass at 450 °C for different times in the air. XRD, SEM, and electrochemical methods were used to study the effect of HT time on the nanostructure and electrochemical performance for Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites electrodes. XRD patterns showed forming Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ NASICON type with monoclinic structure. The crystalline sizes were found to be in the range of 32–56 nm. SEM morphologies exhibited non-uniform grains and changed with variation of HT time. The electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites was investigated by using galvanostatic charge/discharge methods, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. The glass-ceramic nanocomposites annealed for 4 h, which had a lower crystalline size, exhibited the best electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 116.4 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1. Small crystalline size supported the lithium ion mobility in the electrode by decreasing the ion diffusion pathway. Therefore, the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites can be promising candidates for large-scale industrial applications in high-performance energy storage devices.     

Synthesis and characterization of macroporous Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C composites as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

The macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was synthesized by oxalic acid-assisted carbon thermal reaction, and the common Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was also prepared for comparison. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electrochemical performance tests. Based on XRD and SEM results, the sample has monoclinic structure and macroporous morphology when oxalic acid is introduced. Electrochemical tests show that the macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C sample has a high initial discharge capacity (130 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C) and a reversible discharge capacity of 124.9 mAh g⁻¹ over 20 cycles. Moreover, the discharge capacity of the sample is still 91.5 mAh g⁻¹, even at a high rate of 2 C, which is better than that of the sample with common morphology. The improvement in electrochemical performance should be attributed to its improved lithium ion diffusion coefficient for the macroporous morphology, which was verfied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Li3V2(PO4)3的溶胶-凝胶法合成及其性能研究

以LiOH·H₂O、NH₄VO₃、H₃PO₄和柠檬酸等为原料采用溶胶-凝胶法合成了锂离子二次电池正极材料磷酸钒锂(Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃)。考察了煅烧温度和配位剂种类等条件对产物组成及电化学性能的影响。研究了优化条件下制得样品的循环伏安、充放电性能和循环性能。0.1 C条件下,样品首次放电比容量达129.81 mAh·g^-1，经过100次循环后容量几乎没有衰减，仍保持在128 mAh·g^-1。X射线衍射研究表明合成单一Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃晶体所需温度比固相法低；并考察了循环20次后材料充电到各个单相的晶体结构，通过X射线衍射和最小二乘法计算给出了其晶胞参数变化过程，证实了循环嵌Li过程中晶体结构能够得到重现。     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Li9V3 − x Ti x (P2O7)3(PO4)2/C compounds via wet method for lithium-ion batteries

A series of Ti⁴⁺-doped Li₉V_3???x Ti _x (P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂/C compounds have been prepared by using wet method. X-ray diffraction measurement shows that single phase region can be expressed as x?≤?0.10. The effects of substitution of Ti for V on the electrochemical properties of Li₉V_3???x Ti _x (P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂ compounds have been studied. Our investigations show that Ti doping can improve the electrochemical performance. The Li₉V_2.95Ti_0.05(P₂O₇)₃(PO₄)₂/C exhibits the best cycle performance and the highest first discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g^?1 at 0.2 C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the charge transfer resistance initially decreases with x and then for x?>?0.05 increases monotonically with Ti⁴⁺ content.     

Impact of carbon coating thickness on the electrochemical properties of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C composites

A series of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites with different amounts of carbon are synthesized by a combustion method. The physical and electrochemical properties of the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites are investigated by X-ray diffraction, element analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements. The effects of carbon content of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites on its electrochemical properties are conducted with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance. The experiment results clearly show that the optimal carbon content is 4.3 wt %, and more or less amount of carbon would be unfavorable to electrochemical properties of the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C electrode materials. The results would provide some basis for further improvement on the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ electrode materials.     

Ionothermal synthesis and rate performance studies of nanostructured Li3V2(PO4)3/C composites as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Various structures and morphologies of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ precursors are synthesized by a novel ionothermal method using three kinds of imidazolium-based ionic liquids as both reaction mediums and structure-directing agents at ambient pressure. Nanostructured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode materials can be successfully prepared by a subsequent short calcination process. The structures, morphologies, and electrochemical properties are characterized by X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, charge–discharge test, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It shows that three kinds of materials synthesized present different morphologies and particle sizes. The result can be due to imidazolium-based ionic liquids, which combined with different anions play important role in forming the size and morphology of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ material. These materials present excellent performance with high rate capacity and cycle stability. Especially, the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C material prepared in 1-ethyl-3-methylimadozolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([emim][OTf]) can deliver discharge capacities of 127.4, 118.9, 105.5, and 92.8 mAh?g^?1 in the voltage range of 3.0–4.3 V at charge–discharge rate of 0.1, 1, 10, and 20 C after 50 cycles, respectively. The excellent rate performance can be attributed to the uniform nanostructure, which can make the lithium-ion diffusion and electron transfer more easily across the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/electrolyte interfaces.     

Studies of xLiFePO4·yLi3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode materials with high tap density and high performance prepared by sol spray drying method

The xLiFePO₄·yLi₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode materials are synthesized by a sol spray drying method. X-ray diffraction results reveal that the xLiFePO₄·yLi₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) composites are composed of LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ phases, and no impurities are detected. The samples show spherical particles with the size of 0.5–5 μm, and the tap densities of all the samples are higher than 1.5 g cm^?3. Electrochemical tests show that the xLiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) composites exhibit much better performance than the single LiFePO₄/C or Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C. Among all the samples, 3LiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C possesses the best comprehensive performance in terms of the discharge capacity, average working voltage, and rate capability. At 1, 5, and 10 C rates, the sample shows first discharge capacities of 152.0, 134.3, and 116.8 mAh g^?1 and capacity retentions of 99.2, 98.2, and 97.7 % after 100 cycles, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performance of micron-sized xLiFePO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C (x,y?≠?0) powders is owing to the homogeneous mixing of reactants at a molecular level by sol spray drying, the incorporation of fast ion conductor Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃, and the mutual doping in LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃.     

Effect of Al2O3 -coating on the electrochemical performances of Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material

The effect of Al₂O₃ -coating on Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries has been investigated. The crystalline structure and morphology of the synthesized powders have been characterized by XRD, SEM, and HRTEM, and their electrochemical performances are evaluated by CV, EIS, and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. It is found that Al₂O₃ -coating modification stabilizes the structure of the cathode material, decreases the polarization of electrode and suppresses the rise of the surface film resistance. Electrochemical tests indicate that cycling performance and rate capability of Al₂O₃-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C are enhanced, especially at high rates. The Al₂O₃-coated material delivers discharge capacity of 123.03 mAh g^?1 at 4 C rate, and the capacity retention of 94.15 % is obtained after 5 cycles. The results indicate that Al₂O₃ -coating should be an effective way to improve the comprehensive properties of the cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Li3V2(PO4)3/C with one-dimensional (1D) nanorod structure for cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries

A series of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode materials with different morphologies were successfully prepared by controlling temperatures using maleic acid as carbon source via a simple sol–gel reaction method. The Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C nanorods synthesized at 700 °C with diameters of about 30–50 nm and lengths of about 800 nm show the highest initial discharge capacity of 179.8 and 154.6 mA h g⁻¹ between 3.0 and 4.8 V at 0.1 and 0.5 C, respectively. Even at a discharge rate of 0.5 C over 50 cycles, the products still can deliver a discharge capacity of 140.2 mA h g⁻¹ in the potential region of 3.0–4.8 V. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to one-dimensional nanorod structure and uniform particle size distribution. All these results indicate that the resulting Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C is a very strong candidate to be a cathode in a next-generation Li-ion battery for electric-vehicle applications.     

Li3V2(PO4)3/C的P123辅助流变相法制备及电化学性能

以V₂O₅、NH₄H₂PO₄、LiOH、柠檬酸、三嵌段聚合物表面活性剂P123为原料, 用流变相(RPR)法制备了Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C正极材料. 用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)等方法表征, 结果表明: 材料为单一纯相的单斜晶体结构, 颗粒均匀并呈现珊瑚结构; 恒流充放电, 循环伏安(CV)及电化学交流阻抗(EIS)等电化学性能测试表明, 采用P123 辅助合成材料电化学性能明显优于未采用P123 辅助合成材料. 3.0-4.3 V放电区间, 0.1C充放电下P123 辅助合成Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C材料首次放电比容量为129.8 mAh·g^-1, 经过50 次循环后容量只衰减0.9%; 倍率性能及循环性能优异, 1C、10C、25C的首次放电比容量分别为128.2、121.3、109.1 mAh·g^-1, 50次循环后容量保持率分别为99.1%, 96.9%, 90.7%. 这归因于三嵌段聚合物P123 作为分散剂的同时也作为有机碳源在颗粒表面及间隙形成碳网络, 有利于材料导电率的改善, 降低了其电荷转移阻抗, 减小了电极充放电过程的极化现象.     

Electrospun Li3V2(PO4)3 Nanobelts: Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties as Cathode Materials of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Novel Li₃V₂ (PO₄)₃ nanobelts, which was confirmed by the peaks of X‐ray diffraction, were prepared by a facile and environmentally friendly electrospinning method. A distinct nanobelt structure, with an average width of 2.5 µm and a thickness of 200 nm, is observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the specific surface area of 140.8 m²/g is estimated by a specific surface area analyzer. Moreover, the unique Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts exhibited a specific discharge capacity of 155.6 mAh/g at 0.2 C rate when they were used as cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries, on testing from 3.0 to 4.8 V. Remarkably, the batteries containing Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts displayed excellent cycling performance, with only a 0.02% fading rate per cycle after 50 cycles in the range 30–4.3 V. These outstanding electrochemical performances could be ascribed to the particular morphology, large surface area, homogeneous particle size distribution, and the one‐dimensional microstructure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts.     

Wet coordination method to prepare carbon-coated Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A convenient method named wet coordination is used to prepare the sample or carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ in the furnace with a flowing argon atmosphere at 600 °C for 1 h. The sample is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Galvanostatic charge–discharge between 3.3 and 4.3 V (vs. Li/Li⁺) shows that the sample exhibits a high discharge capacity of 128 mAh g^?1 with a good reversible performance under a current density of 95 mA g^?1. It suggests that carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ with good electrochemical performance can be obtained via this method, which is suitable for large-scale production.     

Nano-structured Li3V2(PO4)3/carbon composite for high-rate lithium-ion batteries

Nano-structured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon composite (Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C) has been successfully prepared by incorporating the precursor solution into a highly mesoporous carbon with an expanded pore structure. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure of the composites. Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ had particle sizes of < 50 nm and was well dispersed in the carbon matrix. When cycled within a voltage range of 3 to 4.3 V, a Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite delivered a reversible capacity of 122 mA h g^? 1 at a 1C rate and maintained a specific discharge capacity of 83 mA h g^? 1 at a 32C rate. These results demonstrate that cathodes made from a nano-structured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ and mesoporous carbon composite material have great potential for use in high-power Li-ion batteries.