Preparation of LiFePO4 for lithium ion battery using Fe2P2O7 as precursor

In order to obtain a new precursor for LiFePO4, Fe2P2O7 with high purity was prepared through solid phase reaction at 650 °C using starting materials of FeC2O4 and NH4H2PO4 in an argon atmosphere. Using the as-prepared Fe2P2O7, Li2CO3 and glucose as raw materials, pure LiFePO4 and LiFePO4/C composite materials were respectively synthesized by solid state reaction at 700 °C in an argon atmosphere. X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were employed to characterize the as-prepared Fe2P2O7, LiFePO4 and LiFePO4/C. The as-prepared Fe2P2O7 crystallizes in the C \( \bar 1 \) space group and belongs to β-Fe2P2O7 for crystal phase. The particle size distribution of Fe2P2O7 observed by SEM is 0.4–3.0 μm. During the Li+ ion chemical intercalation, radical P2O 7 4− disrupted into two PO 4 3− ions in the presence of O2−, thus providing a feasible technique to dispose this poor dissolvable pyrophosphate. LiFePO4/C composite exhibits initial charge and discharge capacities of 154 and 132 mA·h/g, respectively.