PREPARATION OF LIFEPO4 -BASED ELECTRODES WITH MAGNETO-SENSITIVE IRON OXIDE (FE2O3 ) NANOPARTICLES UNDER MAGNETIC FIELD

Abstract

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is one of the most widely utilized cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its low cost and environmental safety. Despite this attribute, they still face significant challenges, including high rates and prolonged cycling. However, research has shown that utilizing a magnetic field (MF) can help tackle these issues, thereby improving the ion conductivity and inhibiting polarization of the LiFePO4 cathode. In this study, LiFePO4 cathodes were produced by subjecting them to MF (LFP-MF), while others were optimized using magnetic-sensitive Fe2O3 nanoparticle additives in two concentrations (LFP+1 wt% Fe2O3-MF and LFP+3 wt% Fe2O3-MF). The cathodes were compared to conventional LiFePO4 electrodes prepared under the same conditions but without applying MF (LFP-WMF, LFP+1% Fe2O3-WMF, and LFP+3% Fe2O3-WMF). Application of MF improved the materials' electrochemical properties, contributing to the battery's superior electrochemical performance. The lithium-ion diffusion coefficients of LFP-MF (4.1376 × 10-4 cm2 S-1), LFP+1% Fe2O3-MF (4.0614 × 10-4 cm2 S-1), and LFP+3% Fe2O3-MF (2.3021 × 10-4 cm2 S-1) were more significant than those of LiFePO4 cathodes without subjecting to the magnetic field. Furthermore, the cathodes subjected to MF had higher reversible capacity and a reduced capacity decay than those without MF at an enhanced rate capability greater than 1 C. This study discovered that an MF improves the high-rate performance of LiFePO4 cathodes.