One-step hydrothermal synthesis of Li2FeSiO4/C composites as lithium-ion battery cathode materials

Li₂FeSiO₄/C composites were one-step synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 200 °C for 72 h using glucose as carbon source. By adjusting the quantity of added glucose, we obtained varied Li₂FeSiO₄/C composites with different size and morphology. A series of electrochemical tests demonstrate that the Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanoparticles with diameters about 20 nm have higher discharge capacity, and slower capacity fading in comparison with Li₂FeSiO₄ and other Li₂FeSiO₄/C composites. Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanoparticles deliver a discharge capacity of 136 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C, and after 100 cycles, the discharge capacity remains 96.1%. Furthermore, Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanoparticles also exhibit an excellent rate capability with a capacity of about 80 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 C.