A MoS2 coating strategy to improve the comprehensive electrochemical performance of LiVPO4F

To improve the electrochemical performance of LiVPO4F at room and elevated temperature focusing on the stability of LiVPO4F electrode/electrolyte interface, for the first time, MoS2 nanosheets are introduced to modify LiVPO4F/C composites. The coating of MoS2 layers on the surface of LiVPO4F/C nanoparticles is realized via a solution method followed by low-temperature calcination. Morphological observations present that the MoS2 sheets are homogeneously wrapped around the LiVPO4F/C particles. When employed as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, the MoS2-modified LiVPO4F/C composites exhibit superior high-rate capability and greatly improved cycle ability compared to bare one, and the sample coated with 1.75 wt% MoS2 (2M-LVPF) delivers the best electrochemical performance. In particular, it maintains the capacity retention of 91.7% in 100 cycles at 2.0C and delivers a reversible specific capacity of 112 mAh g(-1) at a high rate of 8.0C under room temperature. More importantly, it shows greatly improved cycling stability at elevated temperature (55 degrees C), maintaining 88.1% of its initial capacity at 0.5C after 50 cycles. The reasons for such improvement lie in the MoS2 coating layer acting as a physical barrier between electrode and electrolyte, as well as electronic/ionic conducting framework for LiVPO4F particles. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.