Abstract: A novel templated LiFePO₄ cathode material was prepared with linear polyacrylamide, which exhibited excellent electrochemical properties, such as a 109.3 mA·h/g capacity at a rate of C/3 and a 120 mA·h/g capacity at a rate of C/6 as well as a good cycliability. We proposed the templating mechanism based upon the precursors' TG-DTA curves, X-ray diffraction patterns and FTIR spectra of the samples at different temperatures. A tapping-mode atomic force microscope was used to investigate the surfaces of the end products. We found that the polyacrylamide template produced metal organic compounds in the cross-linked gel precursor, and thereby modified the crystallization and particle surfaces during calcining. The template was "removed" in the end, which was partially pyrolyzed into the spiral carbon to form a conductive network with nanocrystalline LiFePO₄ highly monodispersed in it.

Key words: LiFePO₄, Lithium ion battery, Template, Mechanism, Tapping-mode atomic force microscope