Electrospun LiFexMn1-xPO4/C Composite Nanofibers for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Since the commercialization of Li-ion batteries by Sony in 1990, the performance of cathode materials used in Li-ion batteries has improved significantly. However, Li-ion batteries cannot respond to the needs of the energy storage market in terms of energy density. In order to increase theoretical energy density of active materials, molar mass of the active material should be decreased, or electron number participating per reaction or reaction potential should be increased. In this study, it was aimed to produce cathode materials for Li-ion batteries in the form of composite nanofibers via electrospinning method. For this purpose, porous LiFexMn1-xPO4/C composite nanofibers (1 ] x ] 0) were synthesized with a scalable, two-step method (electrospinning and subsequent heat treatment). The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the LiFexMn1-xPO4/C composite nanofibers were determined by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. Cathodes made of LiFexMn1-xPO4/C composite nanofibers showed various advantages such as long cycle life, improved electrochemical performance etc. due to the presence of carbon and LiFexMn1-xPO4 in the composite structure. With the addition of Mn to the structure of LiFePO4/C composite nanofibers, electrochemical performance was improved. LiFe0.8Mn0.2PO4/C composite nanofibers showed the best performance in terms of energy density among the samples. Further increment in Mn/Fe ratio resulted declining electrochemical capacity and energy density.