3D porous LiFePO4/graphene hybrid cathodes with enhanced performance for Li-ion batteries

[Display omitted] ► Three-dimensional porous LiFePO4–graphene is successfully prepared by facile sol–gel route. ► Graphene nanosheets, dispersed uniformly in porous LiFePO4, create an effective electronically conducting network. ► The hybrid LiFePO4–graphene exhibits a much higher reversible capacity compared with pristine porous LiFePO4. Three-dimensional porous self-assembled LiFePO4/graphene (LFP/G) composite was successfully fabricated using a facile template-free sol–gel approach. Graphene nanosheets were incorporated into the porous hierarchical network homogenously, which greatly enhances the electrical conductivity and efficient use of the LiFePO4 (LFP), leading to an outstanding electrochemical performance of the hybrid cathodes. The obtained LFP/G composite has a reversible capacity of 146mAhg−1 at 17mAg−1 after 100 cycles, which is more than 1.4 times higher than that of porous LFP (104mAhg−1). Moreover, the porous LFP/G composite also exhibits a desirable tolerance to varied charge/discharge current densities.