DEVELOPMENT OF VANADIUM BASED LI3V2(PO4)3 AS A POTENTIAL CATHODE FOR LI-ION BATTERIES

Abstract

Li-ion batteries have an unmatchable combination of high power density and energy, making it the technology of choice for portable electronics, power tools, and hybrid/full electric vehicles. There are exciting developments in new positive electrode (cathode) materials to replace the LiCoO2 for use in the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) over the past decade. In this work the preparation of Li3V2(PO4)3 (LVP) by sol-gel and solid state method with sucrose coating and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) doping. The influences of doped MWCNT) and coated sucrose on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the as-prepared samples are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical performances. Doping of 1 wt.% of MWCNT in LVP i.e. LVP/MWCNT and LVP/sucrose shows the proper phase formation of LVP as monoclinic structure. The SEM shows the irregular shape of fine particles and slightly agglomerated particles of average size of range from 1–3 μm in case of MWCNT doped, while 4–6 μm in case of sucrose coated LVP. When charge/discharge at 0.1 C, the samples attain the maximum discharge capacity 90 mAh/g and 100 mAh/g in case of LVP doped with MWCNT and coated with sucrose respectively. Comparing with the sample obtained by LVP/sucrose by sol- gel route, the LVP/MWCNT material displays higher charge transfer resistance, higher rate capability and excellent reversibility. The above experiments demonstrate that the LVP/MWCNT is a very promising cathode material which will be used in the future for lithium-ion batteries.