Gints Kučinskis defend PhD thesis “The study of nanostructured bulk and thin film LiFePO4 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries”

In this work LiFePO₄ lithium ion battery cathode material and its thin films have been studied. The possibilities of improving electrochemical properties and rate capability of LiFePO₄ were analysed by optimizing the synthesis conditions and experimenting with reduced graphene oxide electron-conducting additive. LiFePO₄ thin films were obtained, their composition, structure, morphology and electrochemical properties were analysed. The model of sequential LiFePO₄ particle charge and discharge was analysed and improved in context of LiFePO₄ bulk material and thin films. The results give extensive understanding of lithium insertion and de-insertion processes taking place in LiFePO₄ cathode and demonstrates pre-requisites necessary for improving the rate capability of LiFePO₄. Keywords: Lithium ion batteries; LiFePO₄; cathode; thin films