Improvement of LiFePO4 electrochemical properties by inducer control of primary particle agglomeration morphology

We successfully prepare LiFePO4 nanosheets with a primary particle linearity of only 50–80 nm with the {010} facet as the main exposed surface by using the mixed-solvent method, and control their agglomeration morphology by using ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol (EG, DEG, and TEG) as the inducing agents, which solves the problem of the irregular agglomeration of the nanoparticles to a large extent. The obtained secondary particles have regular morphology, consistent particle size, staggered stacking between nanosheets, and the resulting stacked pores greatly increase the active sites of the material. In addition, due to the different molecular structures of the inducer of LiFePO4 chelating degree of deviation, as a way to achieve the purpose of controlling the thickness of the carbon layer on the surface of LiFePO4. The discharge specific capacity of the spiny spherical secondary particles prepared with EG can reach 168.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, which is close to its theoretical capacity. Due to the nano effect of primary particles, the material is in full contact with the electrolyte and exhibits successively 149.8, 125.9 and 114.5 mAh g−1 even at high multiplicities (2 C, 5 C, 10 C).