Natural graphite enhanced the electrochemical performance of Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Natural graphite treated by mechanical activation can be directly applied to the preparation of Li3V2(PO4)(3). The carbon-coated Li3V2(PO4)(3) with monoclinic structure was successfully synthesized by using natural graphite as carbon source and reducing agent. The amount of activated graphite is optimized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectrum, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Our results show that Li3V2(PO4)(3) (LVP)-10G exhibits the highest initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C and 162.9 mAh g(-1) at 1 C in the voltage range of 3.0-4.8 V. Therefore, natural graphite is a promising carbon source for LVP cathode material in lithium ion batteries.