High-capacity cathode for lithium-ion battery from LiFePO₄/(C + Fe₂P) composite nanofibers by electrospinning

Lithium iron phosphate/(carbon and ferrous phosphide) (LiFePO₄/(C + Fe₂P)) composite nanofibers are successfully synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent heat-treatment. We develop a novel aqueous solution with excellent spinnability, which contains dihydrogen phosphate, ferric citrate, and polymer. Heat-treatment temperature makes great effect on the product morphology and the formation of Fe₂P phase. The Fe₂P phase appears when the temperature increases to 750 °C, while too high treatment temperature of 850 °C results in the destruction of fibrous morphology. The LiFePO₄/(C + Fe₂P) composite nanofibers synthesized using the temperature of 750 and 800 °C show high capacity for lithium-ion battery, possibly attributed to the small fiber diameter and good conductivity enhanced by Fe₂P and carbon species.