A novel method for preparing pomegranate-structured FePO4/C composite materials as cathode for lithium-ion batteries

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► We designed and synthesized a pomegranate-structured FePO4/C composite. ► We used a combination of electrospinning and solid-state reaction for preparation. ► We showed how the performance of pomegranate-structured FePO4 is highly enhanced. -- Abstract: A pomegranate-structured FePO4/C composite was synthesized via a combination of electrospinning and high temperature reaction using micron-level FePO4 and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Systematic studies on synthesis, modification, and characterization of FePO4/C composites were conducted. The FePO4/C composites delivered a specific discharge capacity of 109 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and 39 mAh g−1 at 10 C, which were comparable with the reported nanometer-level FePO4. We demonstrated that the three-dimensional net-like structure covered by porous carbon layers could highly enhance the electrochemical performance of FePO4.