Formation mechanism of LiFePO 4 sticks grown by a microwave-assisted liquid-phase process

摘要

A time-dependent study on the formation of LiFePO 4 with olivine-type structure is presented. The material is synthesized through a non-aqueous route in benzyl alcohol assisted by microwave radiation. The LiFePO 4 forms with an anisotropic morphology of microscale stick-like particles. The detailed structure of these particles and their evolution with reaction time is revealed by transmission electron microscopy; a 3D reconstruction of a particle by electron tomography provides insight into the formation mechanism of these sticks. Without applying a thermal post-annealing treatment or a carbon coating, the electrochemical behavior of the LiFePO 4 microsticks is assessed for the preparation of cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.