Facile co-precipitated synthesis of NdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles for lithium-ion battery anodes

In this report, NdFeO₃ perovskite nanoparticles were facilely prepared by co-precipitation of Nd³⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations in hot water, followed with the pyrolysis process in atmospheric conditions. Morphology and crystal structure of NdFeO₃ perovskite were determined with appropriate methods, revealing orthorhombic lattice with size distribution from 40 to 180 nm. Functioning as anode lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), NdFeO₃ exhibited great electrochemical performance such as high retention capacity, excellent cyclability, and high current rate. Such enhanced electrochemical efficiency was evidently ascribed to the perovskite structure of NdFeO₃ due to short lithium-ion diffusion pathway and volume expansion control of working material during lithiation/delithiation operation. By demonstrating a capacity value of 475 mAh g^?1 even through 450 cycles at 0.1 A g^?1, NdFeO₃ perovskite nanoparticles proved itself a competitive anode material for the coming generations of LIBs. In addition, this novel synthesis method is suitable for mass production of perovskite materials for long-life lithium-storage facilities.