| Abstract Scope |
Cathode materials contribute significantly to the overall cost of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) offers a cost-effective alternative due to its relatively low raw material price and stable electrochemical performance. However, regional variations in raw material pricing, particularly in iron sources, can heavily influence the final manufacturing cost. Iron oxides are especially attractive for large-scale production in the US because of their low price, widespread availability, and environmentally friendly nature. Nonetheless, their use as feedstock presents key challenges, including the presence of iron-based impurities and difficulty in achieving desirable LFP microstructure. In this work, we investigate the viability of utilizing iron oxides for the scalable synthesis of battery-grade LFP. We investigate the scientific and processing challenges associated with impurity control, phase purity, and particle morphology. To overcome these barriers, we implement a rapid sintering approach to promote controlled solid-state reactions, offering a potential pathway for high-throughput and scalable production. |