High tap-density Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite material synthesized by sol spray-drying and post-calcining method

The cathode material Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C composite is prepared by a sol spray-drying and post-calcining technology. XRD results show that the material is a well crystallized single phase. SEM and TEM observations reveal that the Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C powders have the spherical shape with a uniform particle size distribution from submicron to micron scale, and there is a homogenous carbon layer of 2.5 nm thick on the particle surface. The tap density of Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C is as high as 1.61 g cm(-3). The electrochemical performance of the composite is excellent. At 0.1 C rate, the Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C sample exhibits high initial discharge capacities of 127.41 mAh g(-1) between 2.5 and 4.3 V. and 161.30 mAh g(-1) between 2.5 and 4.5 V. respectively. Even at a rate of 10 C, the composite can still deliver high discharge capacities of 102.27 and 111.64 mAh g(-1) in the potential regions of 2.5-4.3 V and 2.5-4.5 V, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.