Structure and performance of LiFePO4/CaB6 composites

In order to improve the electric conductivity and tap density of lithium iron phosphate, CaB6 was used as a new additive for the first time. LiFePO4 was synthesized by solid sate reaction and LiFePO4/CaB6 composite with different contents of CaB6 was prepared by two different methods. The samples were characterized by granularity, morphology, electric conductivity, tap density, X-ray diffraction and charge-discharge performance. The results show that although the specific capacity of these materials doped with CaB6 was not improved significantly, the tap density and electronic conductivity of these composites increased. The samples synthesized by the second method exhibit much better performance, and the electronic conductivity of the materials is enhanced by five orders of magnitude and the tap density by 65%.