A green and facile approach for hydrothermal synthesis of LiFePO4 using iron metal directly

Hydrothermal LiFePO4 has been successfully synthesized using iron powder as an iron source and as an in situ reducing agent. The 100% atom economy delivered by iron metal (Fe-0) makes this process green and inexpensive. A plausible mechanism for the formation of hydrothermal LiFePO4 powder is also proposed. The structure of the LiFePO4 powder is well characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The discharge capacity of the LiFePO4 electrode is found to be 165 mAhg(-1) at 0.1 C-rate, and the cycle-life performance is comparable to the conventionally synthesized LiFePO4. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.