Nitridation effect on lithium iron phosphate cathode for rechargeable batteries

A novel oxynitride Li_0.94FePO_3.84N_0.16 with olivine structure (space group Pnma, no. 62) has been synthesized by heating a parent LiFePO₄ precursor obtained by citrate chemistry in flowing ammonia at 650 °C. The polycrystalline sample has been characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (NPD), elemental and thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical measurements. Based on the existing contrast between the scattering lengths of the N and O species, a Rietveld refinement of the structure from NPD data revealed that N preferentially occupies the O2 positions, as likely required to fulfil the bonding power of N ions. The refined crystallographic formula implies an oxidation state of 2.2+ for Fe cations. The differential thermal analysis, in still air, shows a strong exothermic peak at 520-540 °C due to the combustion of C contents, which are embedding the olivine particles, as observed by SEM. The electrochemical measurements suggest a better performance for the nitrided sample relative to the unnitrided LiFePO₄ material, as far as capacity and cyclability are concerned. A bond-valence energy landscape study reveals a decrease in the percolation activation energy of about 6% upon nitridation, concomitant with the better electrochemical properties of the oxynitride compound. Additionally, ceramic samples prepared under NH₃ flow could be obtained as pure and well-crystallized olivine phases at milder temperatures (650 °C) than those usually described in literature.