Enhanced lithium and electron diffusion of LiFePO₄ cathode with two-dimensional Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets

Novel LiFePO₄/Ti₃C₂ composite (LFP/TC) cathodes have been prepared via a simple wet mixing method followed by a heat treatment at 400 °C. Ti₃C₂ nanosheets bridge the LiFePO₄ nanoparticles to form an integrated conductive network via the "plane-to-point" conducting mode. This conductive network acts as short pathways for the diffusion of both lithium ion and electron in the composite cathode. Thus, the electronic and ionic conductivities are simultaneously enhanced, leading to the improved electrochemical properties of LFP/TC composites. Thereinto, the LFP/TC composite with 2 wt% Ti₃C₂ (LFP/TC2) delivers the highest initial discharge capacity of 159 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C as well as the best rate performance with a high reversible capacity of 86 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C. Meanwhile, the LFP/TC2 composite also holds the superior capacity retention of 96% at 1 C after 100 cycles. The results demonstrate that LFP/TC composite has promising practical applications as the cathode material in the high-power lithium-ion batteries.