Designed synthesis of a unique single-crystal Fe-doped LiNiPO4 nanomesh as an enhanced cathode for lithium ion batteries

In this report, a novel and unique single-crystal hierarchical Fe-doped LiNiPO4 nanomesh is first devised and fabricated by a new strategy of super-low crystal mismatch between the precursor and the final sample through in situ doping at room temperature. The unique architecture obtained possesses numerous outstanding properties. Its special two-dimensional (2D) morphology can effectively help to shorten pathways for fast lithium ion diffusion and enlarge the exposed surface for more lithium-exchange channels. Furthermore, the hierarchical porous structure can be beneficial to the electrolyte's rapid diffusion and the Li ions' fast exchange as well as buffer the volume expansion. Importantly, Fe doping into LiNiPO4 can significantly improve the electrical conductivity and the structural stability, so as to enhance Li storage performance. In this work, the systematic electrochemical performance of the LiNiPO4-based cathode is thoroughly presented for the first time, which represents a great breakthrough in high-voltage cathodes for LIBs.