Sintering Temperature Induced Evolution of Microstructures and Enhanced Electrochemical Performances: Sol-Gel Derived LiFe(MoO) Microcrystals as a Promising Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A facile sol-gel process was used for synthesis of LiFe(MoO) microcrystals. The effects of sintering temperature on the microstructures and electrochemical performances of the as-synthesized samples were systematically investigated through XRD, SEM and electrochemical performance characterization. When sintered at 650°C, the obtained LiFe(MoO) microcrystals show regular shape and uniform size distribution with mean size of 1-2 μm. At the lower temperature (600°C), the obtained LiFe(MoO) microcrystals possess relative inferior crystallinity, irregular morphology and vague grain boundary. At the higher temperatures (680 and 700°C), the obtained LiFe(MoO) microcrystals are larger and thicker particles. The electrochemical results demonstrate that the optimized LiFe(MoO) microcrystals (650°C) can deliver a high discharge specific capacity of 925 mAh g even at a current rate of 1 C (1,050 mA g) after 500 cycles. Our work can provide a good guidance for the controllable synthesis of other transition metal NASICON-type electrode materials.