Effects of Zr doping to improve ionic conductivity and lithium-diffusion kinetics of β-LiVOPO4 cathode material.

We tried to improve the ionic conductivity, lithium-ion diffusion, and cycle capacity of pure β-LiVOPO 4 cathode material by Zr doping. Pure and Zr-doped β-LiVOPO 4 cathode material was synthesized by a low-temperature sol–gel process. The physiochemical properties of the synthesized materials were analyzed by various characterization techniques. The Zr doping of the β-LiVOPO 4 was confirmed by ex situ XANES analysis. The electrochemical behavior of the synthesized material was studied by various electrochemical analyses. The lithium-diffusion coefficient values of pristine and selected Zr-doped β-LiVOPO 4 cathode materials were studied and compared using SSCV, EIS, and PITT at different voltages. The calculated values of the diffusion coefficients obtained from CV and EIS are in the range of 10⁻¹⁴–10⁻¹³ cm²/s. The PITT measurement gives the values of 10⁻¹²–10⁻¹¹ cm²/s. All techniques indicated that x = 0.03 Zr-doped samples obtained the improved the lithium diffusion coefficient values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]