Abstract: A transformation for the market development of lithium-ion batteries could be expected from the applications oriented by portable electronic devices to the rapidly growing demands in mobile wireless mechanical products such as electric vehicles and power tools in the next years. These new applications require large lithium-ion batteries with even long life. Olivinetype LiFePO4 is considered as the most suitable cathode materials of lithium-ion power batteries, due to its low material prices, high cycling stability and excellent safety. The crystal structure and properties, the applications and the develo- pment on the synthesis of LiFePO4 cathode materials are out- lined in the present review. A novel synthesis route for LiFe PO4/C called “solid-state in-situ carbon-coating synthesis” using Fe3+ compounds as the iron source and hydrocarbon poly- mers as the carbon source and reductant are recommended and discussed. It is suggested that the solid-state in-situ carbon- coating synthesis could decrease the synthesis temperature, reduce the reaction duration, control the particle coarsening and could produce carbon coated LiFePO4 powders with high ele- ctrochemical properties as the cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Key words: LiFePO4, Cathode materials, Lithiu iron phosphate, Lithium-ion battery