Lithium iron silicate sol-gel synthesis and electrochemical investigation

Li2FeSiO4 was synthesized through Sol-Gel method and the effect of calcination temperature, time and chelating agent concentration were investigated. Appropriate calcination temperature above 550 degrees C was determined by TG/DTA analysis. Afterward, the dried gel powder was calcined at each temperature of 650 degrees C, 700 degrees C and 750 degrees C for 1, 2 and 3 h. XRD studies illustrated the most appropriate calcination temperature of 700 degrees C for 1 h. To compare the effect of chelating agent concentration, citric acid with molar ratio of 1/3, 2/3 and 1 were used which 1/3 was determined as the best concentration. FE-SEM observation showed that mean grain is size lower than 100 nm. By using this material, a three electrodes test cell was assembled and its electrochemical properties were investigated. The results showed high charge capacity which could be achieved at current density of 0.05C. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.