LiVPO4F/C cathode synthesized by a fast chemical reduction method for lithium-ion batteries

LiVPO4F/C cathode has been successfully synthesized by a fast chemical reduction method using polyvinylidene fluoride as carbon source. NH4VO3 is reduced by oxalic acid at 60°C in short time. The green color and binding energy peaks around 517.1eV and 524.7eV in dried precursors corroborate that element V in NH4VO3 is reduced to +3 valence. The crystallite of LiVPO4F/C is well developed. Nanometer granules with smooth edge aggregate and form micron size LiVPO4F/C particles. The molar ratio of V:P:F in cathode is 1:0.99:1.02, which is close to stoichiometric. The discharge capacities of LiVPO4F/C at 0.2 C, 1 C and 2 C are 140.9mAhg−1, 127.4mAhg−1 and 122.9mAhg−1. It is concluded that the fast chemical reduction in this paper can be used to prepare LiVPO4F/C cathode with stable crystallite structure and excellent performances. •LiVPO4F/C cathode was synthesized by a fast chemical reduction method.•Low toxicity NH4VO3 was reduced by oxalic acid at 60°C in short time.•Polyvinylidene fluoride was used as carbon source with ultrasonic dispersion.•The binding energy peaks corroborate that V in NH4VO3 was effective reduced.•LiVPO4F/C cathode prepared possesses excellent performances.