High-performance Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material with a mixed morphology prepared by solvothermal assisted sol-gel process

A carbon-coated LVP composite with a mixed morphology of particles and needles (M-LVP/C) has been successfully synthesized by a novel solvothermal assisted sol-gel process. Compared to S-LVP/C with single particle morphology, M-LVP/C has a much larger first discharge capacity of 125.2mAhg(-1) and higher capacity retention of 96.4% after 1000cycles at 1C between 3.0 and 4.3V. Even at a high rate of 5C within a larger potential window of 3.0-4.8V, M-LVP/C also has a superior average capacity of 131.6mAhg(-1) and a much lower capacity fade per circle of 0.009%. Moreover, M-LVP/C exhibits more excellent tolerance of experiencing between varied currents. Our results reveal that this M-LVP/C composite with such mixed morphology is a promising cathode material for LIBs and this solvothermal assisted sol-gel process may offer a feasible and effective solution for traditional sol-gel process to reduce agglomeration.