Investigating the Electrochemical Characteristics of Lithium Vanadium Phosphate Cathode Synthesized by the Solution Combustion Method Utilizing Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide as a Fuel for Lithium-Ion Batteries Applications

Introduction and Objectives: Optimization of vanadium phosphate compounds through the control of synthesis methods plays a key role in enhancing their performance. In this research, the effect of adding cetyltrimethylammonium bromide with different molar percentages relative to the oxidizer (lithium nitrate) on the electrochemical properties of lithium vanadium phosphate cathode was investigated.Materials and Methods: The solution combustion synthesis method was used to produce lithium vanadium phosphate samples with two different fuel-to-oxidizer ratios (φ = 0.5 and φ = 1). Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was used not only as a fuel but also as a carbon source.Results: Scanning electron microscopy results showed that increasing the fuel-to-oxidizer ratio from 0.5 to 1 led to the formation of spherical particles in the morphology, which improved the electrochemical performance. The lithium vanadium phosphate sample with φ = 1 exhibited superior electrochemical performance, with a specific discharge capacity of 111.17 mAh/g at a current rate of 0.1C and 68 mAh/g at a current rate of 5C. After 150 cycles, the lithium vanadium phosphate sample with φ = 1 maintained a capacity of 79.16 mAh/g at a current rate of 5C.Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the solution combustion synthesis process and the adjustment of the fuel-to-oxidizer ratio can play a significant role in optimizing the structure and improving the electrochemical performance of lithium vanadium phosphate cathode. The results of this study can be utilized in optimizing synthesis processes and developing new materials for next-generation batteries.