Synthesis, growth mechanism, and morphology control of LiFe 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 PO 4 via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

LiFe 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 PO 4 (LFMC) has been synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. During the crystal growth, two evolutionary routes coexist and compete with each other after the nuclei have been stably formed. One of them is the continuous growth of single particles and the other one is agglomeration. The size and morphology of the products are determined by the interplay of the two competing routes. The growth morphology is quantitatively analyzed from first principle calculations. A phase diagram is constructed, which guides to control the morphology by adjusting C M and pH. Static magnetic properties imply long range antiferromagnetic order below T N = 39 K and a paramagnetic Curie–Weiss-like behavior with θ = 75 K and p eff = 5.51 μ B at high temperatures. Cyclic voltammetry shows two distinct peaks corresponding to the Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ and Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox couples, respectively, whereas the Mn 2+ /Mn 3+ redox couple is not observed due to its sluggish kinetics induced by the Jahn–Teller effect of Mn 3+ .