Microwave-assisted Solid State Synthesis of Cathode Materials Incorporating Chitin for Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

Abstract

Cathode materials have long been recognized as an important component for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries due to their low production costs, high safety, non-toxicity, and environmental friendliness. However, cathode materials made from lithium iron phosphate have the disadvantage of poor electrical conductivity and low energy density. Such disadvantages can be improved by synthesis methods and carbon coating methodologies on the cathode material. This thesis therefore aims to improve cathode efficiency for lithium iron phosphate batteries. A microwave-assisted solid-state method with chitin (LFPM) was used to synthesize cathode materials for lithium iron phosphate batteries. The results revealed that the carbon element from chitin-coated LFPM material is 19.80 wt%, which can be homogeneously mixed for LFPM material and has an average particle size of ∼380 nm. The optimal time for the synthesis of the LFPM cathode material by the microwave-assisted solid-state method is 5 minutes, resulting in a phase pure, high-quality crystalline, and the most electrical conductivity. Regarding the electrochemical performance, the initial charge and discharge capacities were 108.88 and 112.23 mAh/g at 1C-rate, respectively, the columbic efficiency was 97.01%, and the capacity retention was 99.99% after 20 charge and discharge cycles. The initial energy density was 336.68 Wh/kg. It can be concluded that the cathode material for lithium iron phosphate batteries synthesized by the microwave-assisted solid-state method coated with carbon derived from chitin has good electrical performance, which can be manufactured on a large scale and is commercially feasible.