Facile synthesis of porous-carbon/LiFePO 4 nanocomposites

Porous-carbon/LiFePO4 nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple one-step sol–gel process without a pore-forming agent or ball-milling processes. These nanocomposites retained a specific capacity of 96 mAh g−1 even at a rate as high as 5 C (1 C = 170 mA g−1). Smaller grain size and larger BET surface area induced by the increased carbon matrix do not insure the enhanced electrochemical properties. The optimum carbon content for the highest electrochemical properties is correlated well with the charge-transfer resistance and apparent Li+ diffusivity.