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Electrochemical performance of In2O3-coated LiFePO4 as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries

  • Original Paper: Sol–gel and hybrid materials for energy, environment and building applications
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Abstract

A developed In2O3-coated LiFePO4 (In2O3@LFP) cathode was successfully fabricated by the sol–gel technique. The structure of the fabricated cathode was scrutinized using Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. The formation of the LiFePO4 (LFP) phase with good crystallinity was affirmed by Raman spectroscopy and XRD results. Further, SEM and TEM studies revealed that the fabricated cathode crystallizes with a spherical-like shape. The synthesized cathode exhibits a remarkably improved electrochemical performance under the In2O3 coating layer. The In2O3@LFP cathode provides high discharge and charge capacities, around 135 and 125 mA h g−1. Furthermore, the coulombic efficiency of the In2O3@LFP cathode was considerably promoted from 84% to 99.7%, demonstrating a high electrochemical stability during the succeeding cycles. After 50 cycles, a high-capacity retention rate was achieved. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) results show the highest redox currents and the best reversibility of the In2O3@LFP cathode. These remarkable electrochemical characteristics of the In2O3@LFP electrode encourage the development of prospective cathode electrode materials.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • A new In2O3-coated LiFePO4 cathode is successfully fabricated by the sol–gel technique.

  • The phase analysis and microstructure imaging of In2O3@LiFePO4 cathode are conducted.

  • The synthesized cathode exhibits a remarkably improved electrochemical performance under the In2O3 coating layer.

  • Cyclic voltammetry results show the highest redox currents and the best reversibility of the In2O3@LiFePO4 cathode.

  • Adding the In2O3 coating could pave the way for the use of LiFePO4 cathode materials in practice.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for funding this work through the project number “1470020316”. The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the central laboratory at Jouf University to support this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, Qurayat, Saudi Arabia

    M. G. Moustafa

  2. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, 11884, Cairo, Egypt

    M. G. Moustafa

  3. Physics Department, College of Science and Arts, Jouf University, Tabrjal, Saudi Arabia

    F. Elmasry

  4. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

    F. Elmasry

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  1. M. G. Moustafa
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Correspondence to M. G. Moustafa.

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Moustafa, M.G., Elmasry, F. Electrochemical performance of In2O3-coated LiFePO4 as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 104, 189–197 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05927-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05927-5

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