Facile Lithium Ion Transport through Superionic Pathways Formed on the Surface of Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C for High Power Li Ion Battery

We report a new discovery for enhancing Li ion transport at the surface of Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 particles through superionic pathways built along an ionic conductor. The Li 3 V 1.95 Zr 0.05 (PO 4 ) 3 /C composite has much higher initial discharge capacity, superior rate-capability, and excellent cycling performance when compared with pristine Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C. This is partly due to the occupation of vanadium sites by Zr 4+ ions in the Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 host crystals and facile Li ion migration through a LiZr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 -like secondary phase that forms on the surface of the Li 3 V 1.95 Zr 0.05 (PO 4 ) 3 particles. Our findings about high Li ion transport and structure stabilization induced by Zr incorporation suggests a breakthrough strategy for achieving high-power Li rechargeable batteries using NASICON-structured cathode materials in combination with nanoarchitecture tailoring.