Effect of different carbon conductive additives on electrochemical properties of LiFePO4-C/Li batteries

LiFePO₄-C nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and subsequent high-energy ball-milling. Different carbon conductive additives including nanosized acetylene black (AB) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were used to enhance the electronic conductivity of LiFePO₄. The structural and morphological performance of LiFePO₄-C nanoparticles was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of LiFePO₄-C/Li batteries were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge tests. XRD results demonstrate that LiFePO₄-C nanoparticles have an orthorhombic olivine-type structure with a space group of Pnma. LiFePO₄-C/Li battery with 5 wt% MWCNT displays the best electrochemical properties with a discharge capacity of 142 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.25 C at room temperature.