Synthesis and performance of carbon-coated Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

The carbon-coated monoclinic Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP/C) cathode materials can be synthesized by one-step heat treatment from a sucrose-containing precursor. Properties of the prepared composite material were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore size distribution and specific surface area analyzer, optical particle size analyzer and electrochemical methods. X-ray diffraction results show that LVP sample is monoclinic structure. The sample presents initial discharge capacity of 127.2 mA h/g (at 0.2 C rate), and exhibits better cycling stability (115.1 mA h/g at 30th cycle at 0.2 C rate) and better rate capability (83.1 mA h/g at 50th cycle under 6 C rate) in the voltage range of 3.0–4.3 V. In the voltage range of 3.0–4.8 V, it exhibits a initial discharge capacity of 169.1 mA h/g and good cycling stability (104.9 mA h/g at 20th cycle at 0.5 C rate).