Spindle-Like LiMnPO4 Assembled by Nanorods with Different Crystallographic Orientations as the Cathode of Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this paper, we report on the solvothermal preparation of spindle-like LiMnPO4 assembled by nanorods with different crystallographic orientations and their electrochemical performance as the cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries. The crystallographic orientations of the nanorods were controlled via two synthetic routes with changed conditions. To improve the electric conductivity, the pristine LiMnPO4 has been carbon-coated by using sucrose as carbon source. The as-prepared LiMnPO4@C nanorods have been applied as the cathode of Li-ion batteries, showing the discharge specific capacity of 153.5 mA h g(-1) at 0.05 C. The nanorods grown along the [010] direction have exhibited better electrochemical performance than that with a large number of (020) planes. The result shows that [010] orientation of olivine-structured LiMnPO4 is favorable for the improvement of the electrochemical properties