Synthesis of plate-like Li3V2(PO4)3/C as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries

Plate-like Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C composite is synthesized via a solution route followed by solid-state reaction. The Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C plates are 40-100 nm in thicknesses and 2-10 mu m in lengths. TEM images show that a uniform carbon layer with a thickness of 5.3 nm presents on the surfaces of Li3V2(PO4)(3) plates. The apparent Li-ion diffusion coefficient of the plate-like Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C is calculated to be 2.7 x 10(-8) cm(2) s(-1). At a charge-discharge rate of 3 C, the plate-like Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 125.2 and 133.1 mAh g(-1) in the voltage ranges of 3.0-4.3 and 3.0-4.8 V. respectively. After 500 cycles, the electrodes still can deliver a discharge capacity of 111.8 and 97.8 mAh g(-1) correspondingly, showing a good cycling stability. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.