Synthesis by Spark Plasma Sintering: A new way to obtain electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract: In the search of high-performance materials for lithium ion batteries, Li2CoPO4F offers many advantages like high theoretical capacity and high operating potential. The synthesis of Li2CoPO4F has been reinvestigated considering a conventional solid state reaction and an unconventional way. Due to the long heat-treatments required by the conventional approach, a beginning of grains coalescence is observed. Limiting particles growth has been allowed by a shorter reaction done by SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering). By this method, the synthesis of Li2CoPO4F was greatly shortened (from 10h to 9min), which favours the getting of submicrometric particles. The comparison of the electrochemical properties of the Li2CoPO4F obtained by the different ways confirms the advantages of SPS synthesis in performance enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]