May 14th, 2015
Although the nanostructures increase the capacity of batteries and are produced through a simple method, they do not have any environmental hazard.
Lithium iron phosphate is a very cheap and non-toxic cathode with appropriate electrochemical properties. However, this compound has two major problems that are low ion and electron conductivity. Therefore, this research tries to improve these two characteristics.
In this research, lithium iron phosphate nanoparticles with bow tie morphology were produced for the first time in the world. This bow tie nanostructure has a coating of carbon nanotube and it was studied for the production of cathode inside lithium batteries.
The synthesis was carried out through a simple method by using cheap and available solvents. This compound is non-toxic and harmless to the environment in comparison with other cathodes based on cobalt or nickel.
Based on the results, the produced nanostructure shortens the path for the diffusion of lithium ion and it increases ionic conductivity and charging and discharging speed in the battery. In addition, carbon nanocoatings on the surface of the particles increase electrical conductivity of the product. After the improvement in the product, the capacity of the battery increases up to about 110% in comparison with the non-improved sample.