|
Abstract
(superscript and subscript cannot be allowed.) |
Carbon coating with sucrose as the precursor under a moderate synthesis temperature of 500 °C results in a high-purity monoclinic LiFeBO3 phase. This material has a high specific discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g at 0.02 C, which is close to its theoretical capacity. However, its poor performance at high C-rates limits its utility in electric vehicles. Achieving ultra-high C-rate capability of more than 5 C for LiFeBO3 cathode for lithium-ion batteries is uncommon. To overcome this challenge, this study carefully optimizes the synthesis conditions, such as temperature and reducing atmosphere. In this work we utilize carbothermal synthesis method for modulating the reducing conditions. Usually, the carbothermal reaction is carried out using carbon at high temperatures which leads to the formation of CO and CO2 gases. In our work, we have utilized a mixture of sucrose and oxalic acid as the carbon source, that is intimately mixed with the other precursors to create moderate reducing conditions. Oxalic acid decomposes to generate CO which helps to attain the limited reducing atmosphere condition necessary to retain the low valence state of iron. |
