Hierarchical porous LiFePO₄/Carbon composite electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Hierarchical porous LiFePO4/C composite has been successfully synthesised via evaporative self-assembly induced by vegetable proteins. The morphologies and structures are investigated by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Hierarchical porous LiFePO4/C composite presents the connected hierarchical porous structure and nano-carbon network embedded in connected hierarchical pores. LiFePO4/C composite with 5 wt% vegetable proteins (LFP-5C) delivers a higher capacity of 166.8 mA h g−1 than LiFePO4/C composite with 8 wt% vegetable protein (LFP-8C) (161.4 mA h g−1) at 0.1 C rate. However, at a high rate of 30 C, LFP-8C exhibits a little higher discharge capacity of 148.6 mA h g−1and capacity retention of 97.3% after 100 cycles than LFP-5C (145.6 mA h g−1, 96.8%). The hierarchical porous LiFePO4/C composite is a promising material for practical application in lithium-ion battery.