Facile synthesis and excellent electrochemical performance of LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4/C with 3D conductive network

In this paper, the LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4/C with 3D conductive network was synthesized using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as complex carbon source by a simple preparation route which include combination of wet ball milling, spray drying, and carbothermal reduction. The unique conductive network result in the composite has sufficient contact with electrolyte and three-dimensional electron conduction path. SEM and TEM images indicate that the active materials were uniformly coated by amorphous carbon and CNTs. The addition of β-CD and CNTs not only restricted growth of active particle but also reduced electron conduction distance. The composite possesses superior electron conductivity (8.8 × 10−2 S cm−1) and Li+ diffusion efficiency (6.1 × 10−13 cm2 s−1) due to unique 3D conductive network. As a result, the prepared sample exhibits distinguished discharge capacity of 160.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and 131.7 mAh g−1 capacity even in 10 C.