Nanostructured LiCoPO4 (LCP) microspheres
were successfully
synthesized by one-step spray pyrolysis, adding an appropriate amount
of diammonium hydrogen citrate (DHC) additive to the precursor solution.
Comprehensive physical characterization confirmed that the obtained
LCPs exhibited a desirable orthorhombic olivine structure with nanostructured
morphology and a significant increase in specific surface area. This
enhancement was attributed to the dispersion effect due to the carboxyl
group and the evolution of the ammonium group of DHC during the pyrolysis
process. The resultant LCP delivered a high initial discharge capacity
of 132 mA h g–1 with 63.3% capacity retention (vs
103 mA h g–1 and 37.1% of bare-LCP) after 50 cycles
at 0.1 C using the conventional electrolyte. Moreover, the electrochemical
performance showed additional enhancement when a fluorinated electrolyte
was introduced, resulting in initial and 50th discharge capacities
of 141 and about 100 mA h g–1, respectively, at
0.1 C.