Bio‐Inspired Nanoarchitected LiFePO ₄ Cathodes

Abstract A biologically inspired strategy for the synthesis of Li‐ion materials uses polyacrylic acid (PAA), which serves a similar function as acidic polypeptides that regulate nucleation and growth phenomena in many biologically mineralized structures. This bio‐inspired method is used to investigate the effects of acidic macromolecules on the resulting size and shape of synthesized LiFePO 4 ‐Carbon (LFP/C) composite particles. The resulting particle size, shape, and crystal orientation are dependent on PAA concentrations and are modulated over time under solvothermal conditions. The presence of the acidic moieties present in PAA plays a role in the formation of LFP, inhibiting growth due to the reduction of free iron in solution facilitated via electrostatic interactions with carboxylate groups, leading to non‐classical growth, which affects their subsequent performance as cathode materials.