Development of LiFePO4 as the Cathode Materials

The cathode material is critical for advancement in battery technology. LiFePO4 with the typify olivine structure shows excellent electrochemical performance besides low electric conductivity. The existence of a temperature-driven solid solution LiFePO4 is confirmed by temperature-controlled XRD pattern results and neutron diffraction data. The debating about doping accumulates the defect chemical studies for LiFePO4, several defect compensation mechanisms have been founded in support of the aliovalent doping. The conductive phase composite enhances the electrical conductivity of LiFePO4, especially carbon surface coating of LiFePO4 particle clear away obstacles of its industrialized application. The morphology of LiFePO4 also affects the electrochemical properties due to adjusting charge/discharge kinetic process. The control of particle size, shape and porosity will adjust the electrode performance, the thin film technique and three dimensional architectures will drive advancement of small cells.