Synthesis and Li electroactivity of Fe2P2O7 microspheres composed of self-assembled nanorods

Iron phosphate (Fe(II)2P2O7) microspheres composed of self-assembled nanorods were prepared by means of thermal dehydrogenation followed by thermochemical reduction of hydrothermally-synthesized FePO4·2H2O at 400 °C under a H2 atmosphere. The phase and morphological evolutions of FePO4·2H2O and Fe2P2O7 products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The Fe2P2O7 electrode as a new anode showed higher specific capacities (490 mA h g−1 after 10 cycles at a rate of 100 mA g−1) and better cyclic performances than FePO4·2H2O.