Journal of Inorganic Materials ›› 2010, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (8): 887-892.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1077.2010.10105

• Research Letter • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterizations of Zinc-doped LiFePO4/C by Carbothermal Reduction

HUA Ning1,2,3, WANG Chen-Yun1,2,3, KANG Xue-Ya1,3, Tuerdi1,3, HAN Ying1,3   

  1. (1. Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; 2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; 3. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Urumqi 830011, China)
  • Received:2010-02-22 Revised:2010-04-01 Published:2010-08-20 Online:2010-07-19
  • Supported by:

    Xinjiang High-Technology Research & Development Program (200716117)

Abstract:

Alien atom doping has been adopted to modify the electrochemical performance of olivine type LiFePO4 for cathode material. Here, we report that zinc-doping can improve the performance of LiFePO4/C immensely by a simple method. LiFePO4/C and Zn-doped LiFePO4/C cathode materials were firstly synthesized by carbothermal reduction method. Physical-chemical characterizations were done by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmittance electron microscope. Electrochemical behavior of the cathode materials were analyzed by using cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic measurements were employed to characterize the reaction of lithium ion insertion and de-insertion. ICP and XRD analyses indicate that Zn ions were sufficiently doped in LiFePO4 and did not alter its crystal structure. During de-intercalation and intercalation process of lithium ions, the doped zinc atoms protect the LiFePO4 crystal from shrink. Consequently, the conductivity is enhanced after doping. It is noted that zinc ions doping can improve performance of LiFePO4, especially on the aspect of stable cycle-life at higher C rate.

Key words: LiFePO4, doping zinc, lithium ion battery, cycle performance

CLC Number: