Electrochemical performance of C-La~(3+) codoped LiFePO_4 synthesized by microwave heating

La3+ was selected to elevate the lattice electronic conductivity of LiFePO4, and LiFePO4/(C+La3+) cathode powders were synthesized by microwave heating using a domestic microwave oven for 35 min. The microstructures and morphologies of the synthesized materials were investigated by XRD and SEM. The electrochemical performances were evaluated by galvanostatic charge-discharge. The electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 with different La3+ contents was studied. Results indicated that the initial specific discharge capacity of LiFePO4/(C+La3+) composites with 2% La3+(116.3 mAh/g) was better than that of LiFePO4/C (105.4 mAh/g). The addition of La3+ further improved the electrochemical properties. So the codoping is an effective method to improve the electrochemical performance.