Nanocomposite of LiFePO4 and mesoporous carbon for high power cathode of lithium rechargeable batteries.

A composite of LiFePO4 and MgO-templated disordered mesoporous carbon was prepared through infiltrating a LiFePO4 precursor solution into the mesoporous carbon and growing LiFePO4 nanocrystals in the pore of the carbon. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that LiFePO4 nanoparticles are embedded homogeneously in the mesoporous carbon without formation of big LiFePO4 particles out of the pores. The pores of the carbon are believed to suppress crystal growth of LiFePO4. The 3-dimensional conducting carbon network between the LiFePO4 nanoparticles led to excellent cycling stability and rate capability. The composite showed no fade of discharge capacity up to 100 cycles and 85% of the reversible capacity at 0.1 C was retained at 30 C.