Abstract
The effect of the precipitator (NaOH, $NH_4OH$) and the amount of the precipitator (150, 200, 250, 300 ml) on the formation of $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$, which is the precursor used for cathode material $LiFePO_4$ in Li-ion rechargeable batteries was investigated by the co-precipitation method. A pure precursor of olivine $LiFePO_4$ was successfully prepared with coprecipitation from an aqueous solution containing trivalent iron ions. The acid solution was prepared by mixing 150 ml $FeSO_4$(1M) and 100 ml $H_3PO_4$(1M). The concentration of the NaOH and $NH_4OH$ solution was 1 M. The reaction temperature (25$^{\circ}C$) and reaction time (30 min) were fixed. Nitrogen gas (500 ml/min) was flowed during the reaction to prevent oxidation of $Fe^{2+}$. Single phase $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ was formed when 150, 200, 250 and 300 ml NaOH solutions were added and 150, 200 ml $NH_4OH$ solutions were added. However, $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ and $NH_4FePO_4$ were formed when 250 and 300 ml $NH_4OH$ was added. The morphology of the $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ changed according to the pH. Plate-like lenticular shaped $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ formed in the acidic solution below pH 5 and plate-like rhombus shaped $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ formed around pH 9. For the $NH_4OH$, the pH value after 30 min reaction was higher with the same amount of additions of NaOH and $NH_4OH$. It is believed that the formation mechanism of $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ is quite different between NaOH and $NH_4OH$. Further investigation on this mechanism is needed. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the pH value was measured by pH-Meter.
