Nano-layered LiFePO4 particles converted from nano-layered ferrous phenylphosphonate templates

A new type of nano-structured LiFePO 4 particles were prepared exhibiting enhanced apparent lithium ion diffusion dynamics. The nano-structured LiFePO 4 particles possess nano-layered morphology and were converted hydrothermally from the nano-layered templates composed of mainly ferrous metaphosphate and graphitic carbon. And the nano-layered templates were prepared by pyrolysis conversion of the nano-layered ferrous phenylphosphonate templates, or the raw nano-layered templates. Though the nano-layered LiFePO 4 particles possess characteristics of nanostructured LiFePO 4 , the overall dimensions are still in micro-size and the tap density is about 1.36   g   cm −3 comparable to the micro-sized LiFePO 4 particles. The apparent lithium ion diffusion coefficients are 1.5   ×   10 −11 and 3.1   ×   10 −13   cm 2   s −1 evaluated using the cyclic voltammetry and electrical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, the organic moiety from the raw nano-layered templates was converted into tiny carbon particles with abundance of ordered graphitic structure well dispersed in the nano-layered LiFePO 4 particles; and the nano-layered LiFePO 4 particles possess an electronic conductivity as high as 3.28   mS   cm −1 .