LiVPO4F: A new active material for safe lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, we report the latest findings for the new lithium vanadium fluorophosphate cathode material, LiVPO4F. High quality samples have been prepared using a carbothermal reduction approach and extensive electrochemical and DSC measurements have been performed. In graphite based lithium-ion cells, the LiVPO4F demonstrates reversible specific capacity behavior approaching theoretical. The lithium-ion system operates with an average discharge voltage around 4 V, low polarization and with good rate capability. These results indicate that the active material possesses exemplary electrochemical performance and may well be suitable as a replacement for LiCoO2 in commercial lithium-ion cells. DSC measurements on charged cathodes indicate the thermal stability behavior expected for a phosphate based active material.