Continuous supercritical hydrothermal synthesis: lithium secondary ion battery applications

Nanosized lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and transition metal oxide (MO, where M is Cu, Ni, Mn, Co, and Fe) particles are synthesized continuously in supercritical water at 25–30 MPa and 400°C under various conditions for active material application in lithium secondary ion batteries. The properties of the nanoparticles, including crystallinity, particle size, surface area, and electrochemical performance, are characterized in detail. The discharge capacity of LiFePO4 was enhanced up to 140 mAh/g using a simple carbon coating method. The LiFePO4 particles prepared using supercritical hydrothermal synthesis (SHS) deliver the reversible and stable capacity at a current density of 0.1 C rate during ten cycles. The initial discharge capacity of the MO is in the range of 800–1,100 mAh/g, values much higher than that of graphite. However, rapid capacity fading is observed after the first few cycles. The continuous SHS can be a promising method to produce nanosized cathode and anode materials.