An efficient process to fabricate spherical hierarchical LiFePO4/C cathode composites with controllable coating thickness

Hierarchical lithium iron phosphate/carbon (LiFePO 4 /C) microspheres were fabricated successfully using a facile spray drying-assisted coprecipitation method. A relatively short calcination time and a relatively low calcination temperature were adopted to prepare the hierarchical LiFePO 4 /C microspheres. The hierarchical microspheres consisted of nanoparticles with a uniform coating of amorphous carbon. The thickness of the carbon layer was controlled by the addition of glucose. The hierarchical LiFePO 4 /C microspheres exhibited a high tap density and a large specific surface area. The electrochemical properties of the sample were investigated. The sample exhibited a better rate capability and a better cyclability than the coral-like LiFePO 4 /C cathode material, and these were ascribed to the highly uniform carbon coating and the self-assembled nanoparticles.