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TaC-modified LiFePO4/C composite as cathode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

The further development of electrode materials with both high capacity and rate capability is necessary for meeting the continuing requirement for increasing high-energy density and long-cycle life of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a cathode material of LIBs, LiFePO4/C modified with high electrical conductivity compound tantalum carbide (TaC) is successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The co-coating of nano-sized TaC and amorphous carbon layer on the surface of LiFePO4 particles can facilitate good electrons and Li ions transfer, leading to faster electrochemical kinetics. As the cathode material for LIBs, this composite presents both excellent electrochemical performances with high reversible capacity (159.0 mAh g−1, 0.1C) and improved rate capacity. The methodology developed in this paper demonstrates a new prospect for the application of transition metal carbides (TMCs) in the modification of battery electrode materials.

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Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21908142).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Sustainable Energy/College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China

    Yang Liu, Cai Qi, Dandan Cai, Xiao Tang, Ying Li, Wenxian Li, Qinsi Shao & Jiujun Zhang

  2. Shaoxing Institute of Technology, Shanghai University, Shaoxing, 312000, Zhejiang, China

    Yang Liu

  3. School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, China

    Xiao Tang

  4. School of Materials Science and Engineering/Laboratory for Microstructures, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200072, China

    Ying Li & Wenxian Li

  5. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China

    Jiujun Zhang

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  1. Yang Liu
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Correspondence to Yang Liu, Qinsi Shao or Jiujun Zhang.

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Liu, Y., Qi, C., Cai, D. et al. TaC-modified LiFePO4/C composite as cathode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Ionics 29, 2191–2198 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-023-04969-1

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