The effect of aluminium on the electrical and electrochemical properties of phospho-olivine - a cathode material for Li-ion batteries

The structure, electrical and electrochemical properties of phospho-olivine (LiFePO4) doped with aluminium were investigated. Some of the obtained samples had much higher electrical conductivities than the undoped material (10-4 S/cm compared to 10-10 S/cm). It has been stated that the enhanced conductivity is caused by a thin layer of reduced material that has metallic properties (probably iron phosphide), formed on the grain surfaces of phospho-olivine.