Effect of Conductive Agent on Electrochemical Performance of Cathode Materials of Lithium Ion Batteries

The effect of conductive agent on the electrochemical performances of the cathode material of Li₃V₂（PO₄）₃ lithium ion batteries（LIBs） was studied respectively using graphene, Ketjen black and acetylene black as the conductive agent, and then the ratio of Ketjen black was adjusted to investigate its effect on the electrochemical performances of LIBs. The results show that the first specific discharge capacity of the battery is 108, 114 and 104 mAh/g respectively with graphene, Ketjen black and acetylene black, at charge and discharge voltage range of 3.0～4.3 V and discharge rate of 0.2 C. The cycling performances show that the specific discharge capacity changes slightly after 50 times of cycling. By changing the conductive agent ratio, the first specific discharge capacity of the battery is 105, 114 and 96 mAh/g respectively for LVP∶PVDF∶conductive agent=85∶10∶5, 80∶10∶10 and 75∶10∶15, at charge and discharge voltage range of 3.0～4.3 V and discharge rate of 0.2 C. It indicates that the content of conductive agent influences the electrochemical performances of LIBs as well. When the content of conductive agent is 10%, the battery has the best electrochemical properties.