One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured and nanocomposited LiFePO4: its perspective advantages for cathode materials of lithium ion batteries

Nanostructured materials have attracted recent research interest as battery materials due to their expected enhancement of properties. The characteristic nanoscale dimension and its structuring guarantees improved charge and mass transfer during charge/discharge processes. Among the potential cathode materials investigated as a substitute to LiCoO(2), one of the most promising materials is LiFePO(4) with olivine structure (LFP). In this perspective article, the current research and development in the synthesis and electrochemical studies of nanostructured LFP are reviewed with a special emphasis on one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures and nanocompositing with 1D conductive materials. In addition to various examples of 1D LFP with detailed synthetic methods, why 1D nanostructures could be meaningful is discussed in terms of a geometric point of view and the anisotropic lithiation/de-lithiation mechanism of LFP.