Facile co-precipitated synthesis of NdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles for lithium-ion battery anodes

In this report, NdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles were facilely prepared by co-precipitation of Nd3+ and Fe3+ cations in hot water, followed with the pyrolysis process in atmospheric conditions. Morphology and crystal structure of NdFeO3 perovskite were determined with appropriate methods, revealing orthorhombic lattice with size distribution from 40 to 180 nm. Functioning as anode lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), NdFeO3 exhibited great electrochemical performance such as high retention capacity, excellent cyclability, and high current rate. Such enhanced electrochemical efficiency was evidently ascribed to the perovskite structure of NdFeO3 due to short lithium-ion diffusion pathway and volume expansion control of working material during lithiation/delithiation operation. By demonstrating a capacity value of 475 mAh g−1 even through 450 cycles at 0.1 A g−1, NdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles proved itself a competitive anode material for the coming generations of LIBs. In addition, this novel synthesis method is suitable for mass production of perovskite materials for long-life lithium-storage facilities.