Achieving Fast Mn Redox Kinetics with Solvothermal Synthesized (010) Facet Preferential LiMn_0.5Fe_0.5PO₄ Nanoplates for Li‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

A well‐designed solvothermal approach has been employed to synthesize olivine LiMn_0.5Fe_0.5PO₄ (LMFP) cathode material with a nanoplate configuration. This method precisely controls crystal growth to achieve a high proportion of (010) facets while minimizing intrinsic defects. These modifications significantly enhance lithium‐ion diffusion kinetics and optimize the electrochemical performance of LMFP. The nanoscale of the (010) facets and the reduced anti‐site defect concentration in the MP‐PRO sample functionalize jointly to promote lithium‐ion transport during the long‐cycle. Furthermore, the superior electrochemical performance is closely linked with significantly reduced impedance and enhanced Mn redox kinetics. Both theoretical calculations and experimental results indicate that the confinement effect induced by 1,3‐propanediol directs facet orientation and confines nanoplate growth. Compared to the product synthesized using water (MP‐H₂O), the 1,3‐propanediol‐based sample (MP‐PRO) delivers a high specific capacity of 130.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 5C and demonstrates excellent cycling stability, with an 84.6% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. This study provides new insights into the kinetics of Mn redox in LMFP electrodes and reveals an effective electrode structure design to realize long‐life high rate batteries.