The olivine-type LiFePO 4 /C cathode materials were prepared via carbothermal reduction method using cheap Fe 2 O 3 as raw material and different contents of glucose as the reducing agent and carbon source. Their structural and morphological properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and particle size distribution analysis. The results demonstrated that when the content of the carbon precursor of glucose was 16 wt.%, the synthesized powder had good crystalline and exhibited homogeneous and narrow particle size distribution. Even and thin coating carbon film was formed on the surface of LiFePO 4 particles during the pyrolysis of glucose, resulting in the enhancement of the electronic conductivity. Electrochemical tests showed that the discharge capacity first increased and then decreased with the increase of glucose content. The optimal sample synthesized using 16 wt.% glucose as carbon source exhibited the highest discharge capacity of 142 mAh g −1 at 0.1C rate with the capacity retention rate of 90.4% and 118 mAh g −1 at 0.5C rate.

LiFe 1-x Mn x PO 4/ C composites were prepared as cathode material for lithium ion battery via solid-state reaction and using glucose as reducing agent and carbon source. The crystal structure and morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The resultant samples were pure olivine compounds with an orthorhombic structure. Their electrochemical performance was studied by galvanostatic charge–discharge test and cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that the sample LiFe0.8Mn0.2PO4/C with an average particle size of 400 nm exhibited the largest discharge capacity of 150 mAh g-1, excellent reversibility of charge–discharge and high capacity retention of 97% after a 50-cycle CV scanning. The improved electrical conductivity corresponding to the fine carbon layer around the LiFe0.8Mn0.2PO4 individual particle can be responsible for all these excellent electrochemical performance.