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Effects of sp2- and sp3-carbon coatings on dissolution and electrochemistry of water-based LiFePO4 cathodes

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Abstract

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is recognized as being less stable and easily dissolvable in aqueous suspensions, particularly when the suspension pH is adjusted to be more alkaline or acidic. In this investigation, an unexpected and interesting finding is revealed, which contradicts the conventional understanding of the dissolution of LiFePO4. As most of the surface of commercial LiFePO4 is coated with carbon, the key factor determining its dissolution behavior is the chemical quality of the surface carbon. With more sp2-bonded carbon on the surface, both the dissolution and electrochemistry of LiFePO4 are independent of pH variations in aqueous suspensions. When the surface carbon is mainly sp3-bonded, LiFePO4 exhibits distinct dissolution and electrochemical properties at different pH levels and, under alkaline conditions, shows greater dissolution and poorer cell performance than that characterized mainly by sp2-bonded carbon.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate material supports from the Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry Co.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 10608, Taiwan

    Chia-Chen Li & Chi-An Chen

  2. Material and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, 30011, Taiwan

    Shinn-Jen Chang

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  1. Chia-Chen Li
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  2. Shinn-Jen Chang
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Correspondence to Chia-Chen Li.

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Li, CC., Chang, SJ. & Chen, CA. Effects of sp2- and sp3-carbon coatings on dissolution and electrochemistry of water-based LiFePO4 cathodes. J Appl Electrochem 47, 1065–1072 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1105-y

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