Performance optimization of freestanding MWCNT-LiFePO sheets as cathodes for improved specific capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

The typical lithium-ion-battery positive electrode of "lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO) on aluminum foil" contains a relatively large amount of inactive materials of 29 wt% (22 wt% aluminum foil + 7 wt% polymeric binder and graphitic conductor) which limits its maximum specific capacity to 120.7 mA h g (71 wt% LiFePO) instead of 170 mA h g (100 wt% LiFePO). We replaced the aluminum current-collector with a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network.