(348c) Water/Liquid State Salt Medium for Synthesis of LiFePO4 Cathode Material

Hydrothermal methods, in which an aqueous solution-based reaction is used for reaction medium, has risen to become a highly promising alternative to popular high-temperature synthesis routes for the formation of LiFePO₄ material. However, such hydrothermal routes require significant pressure requirements to drive successful material synthesis. Ionic liquid solvent methods, involving a liquid state salt, allow for reaction without such pressure requirements needed for hydrothermal processes, making for a simple and scalable process with possibility for atmospheric pressure synthesis.  Use of a water/liquid state salt mixture allows for control over properties of solution, enabling fine-tuning toward a more effective solvent for reaction.  Additionally, as opposed to competitive synthesis routes, such a process enables reaction toward product at atmospheric pressure. Here is reported the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical characteristics of active LiFePO₄ material synthesized through such a simple, scalable two-step synthesis method.