Suppression of Phase Separation in LiFePO 4 Nanoparticles During Battery Discharge

Using a novel electrochemical phase-field model, we question the common belief that Li(X)FePO(4) nanoparticles always separate into Li-rich and Li-poor phases during battery discharge. For small currents, spinodal decomposition or nucleation leads to moving phase boundaries. Above a critical current density (in the Tafel regime), the spinodal disappears, and particles fill homogeneously, which may explain the superior rate capability and long cycle life of nano-LiFePO(4) cathodes.