Abstract
Cathode material LiCoPO4 was synthesized by solvothermal method with a variety of water/alcohol solvent mixtures, including ethanol (ET), ethylene glycol (EG), and diethylene glycol (DEG). Focus of this work was set on the effect of the different alcohol solvent on morphology and particle size of material. Composition, crystal structure, morphology and particle size of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray-diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and specific surface area test. The results show that relationship of the average particle size of the LiCoPO4 samples synthesized with different alcohols solvents is in agreement with solubility of solvent for the precursor, but is inconsistent with the viscosity of solvent. Furthermore, LiCoPO4 sample synthesized with EG/H2O possesses the smallest particle size, great crystallinity and excellent cycle performance. Its initial discharge specific capacities reaches to 130 mAh/g at 0. 05C, and it shows a capacity retention of the initial value of 88% in