Badminton-like LiCoPO_4 Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Performance as Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes

摘要

Badminton-like LiCoPO_4 nanomaterials were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, using PEG 200 as the structure directing agent, followed by a high temperature post annealing process. LiCoPO_4 nanoparticles could be obtained when PEG 200 is absence during the same synthesis process. As-synthesized products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Lithiumion battery performance of synthesized LiCoPO_4 nanobadmintons was also measured. The initial discharge capacities of LiCoPO_4 can reach 132.4 mAhg~(-1) at 0.1C. After 50 cycles, the discharge capacity has been decreased to 99.6 mAhg~(-1) and the capacity retention is about 75.2%. The electrochemical performance of LiCoPO_4 nanobadmintons is better than LiCoPO_4 nanoparticles synthesized in the absence of PEG 200 and many other LiCoPO_4 materials reported in the literature. The excellent electrochemical performance of LiCoPO_4 nanobadmintons can be attributed to its unique badminton-like nanostructures consisted of many long and thin nanorods.