Controlled synthesis of LiCoPO4 by a solvo-thermal method at 220 °C

Here we report the synthesis at low temperature (220 °C) by a solvothermal method of highly crystalline LiCoPO4. This material is a candidate for application as cathode in next-generation Li-ion cells. The presented synthetic route allows a careful tailoring of the sample morphology and leads to morphologically homogeneous platelet-like particles. The obtained material has been characterized by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and electron microscopies. The synthesized material has been also characterized in lithium cells to highlight its ability to reversibly cycle lithium.