Synthesis of LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co) nanocrystals in polyol medium and their electrochemical properties

Olivine-structured LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co) nanocrystals were synthesized by the solvothermal process in a polyol medium of diethylene glycol (DEG) at low temperature without any further post-heating process. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co) revealed highly crystalline and pure olivine structure (space group: Pnma) based on the Rietveld refinement method. The synthesized LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn, Co) nanocrystals with morphologies of plates and rods exhibited average particle sizes of 325, 487 and 581 nm, respectively. Among them, LiFePO4 nanocrystals showed an excellent reversible capacity of 167 mA h g-1 that corresponds to 98% utilization of its theoretical capacity and with a good extended cyclability rate of 50 C.