Sonochemical synthesis of Au/Pd nanoparticles on the surface of LiFePO₄/C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Abstract With the aim of investigating the deposition of Au/Pd core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) on cathode materials to decrease charge transfer resistance, Au/Pd core–shell NPs were successfully synthesized and deposited on LiFePO4 coated with carbon (LiFePO4/C) using ultrasound irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy observation confirmed that dispersed Au/Pd NPs with an average particle size of 7.2 nm were deposited on LiFePO4/C. An X-ray diffraction measurement evidenced a peak shifting from 38.2° to 39.1° upon calcination at 400 °C in Ar atmosphere, which can be attributed to the phase transition of the Au/Pd NPs from core–shell to alloy.