Facile Fabrication of Hierarchical LiMnPO4 Microspheres for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries Cathode

Developing advanced cathode materials to achieve the high-power applications is an important technology for the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In this work, hierarchical LiMnPO4 microspheres are designed and fabricated using MnCO3 microspheres as the self-sacrificial template. The novel hierarchical structure with high tap density and more exposed active sites is favorable for the electrolyte penetration and also provides sufficient contact areas for fast Li-ion intercalation and deintercalation reaction. In addition, the uniform thin carbon layer extending from the interior to the outside of the LiMnPO4 microsphere, could further construct a conductive and robust carbon network, which will inevitably accelerate the transport of electrons and improve the discharge capacity. Specifically, a high reversibility capacity of 158.4 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 C and 104.3 mAh g(-1) at 5 C is achieved. Furthermore, the superior capacity retention with 98% after 200 cycles at 5 C is maintained, revealing an excellent cycle stability. This work may open up a promising strategy to prepare other advanced electrode materials. (C) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.