Temperature-controlled microwave solid-state synthesis of Li 3V 2(PO 4) 3 as cathode materials for lithium batteries

Monoclinic Li ₃V ₂(PO ₄) ₃ can be rapidly synthesized at 750 °C for 5 min (MW5m) by using temperature-controlled microwave solid-state synthesis method (TCMS). The carbon-free sample MW5m presents well electrochemical properties. In the cut-off voltage 3.0-4.3, MW5m presents a charge capacity 132 mAh g ^-1, almost equivalent to the reversible cycling of two lithium ions per Li ₃V ₂(PO ₄) ₃ formula unit (133 mAh g ^-1), and discharge capacity 126.4 mAh g ^-1. In the cut-off voltage 3.0-4.8 V, MW5m shows an initial discharge capacity of 183.4 mAh g ^-1, near to the theoretical discharge capacity. In the cycle performance, the capacity fade of Li ₃V ₂(PO ₄) ₃ is dependent on the cut-off voltage and the preparation method.