Lithium Cobalt Phosphate (LiCoPO₄)

Lithium Cobalt Phosphate (LiCoPO4) is a high-voltage olivine cathode powder engineered for next-generation lithium-ion battery research, prized for a ~4.8 V operating plateau versus Li/Li+ that ranks among the highest of any olivine-structured cathode material. Infinita Materials supplies LiCoPO4 in controlled particle-size distributions and purity grades tailored to electrode formulation, half-cell testing, and high-voltage electrolyte development. Its phosphate framework inherits the strong P-O covalent bonding that makes olivine cathodes structurally robust and thermally stable relative to layered oxide chemistries. As battery researchers push toward higher energy densities, LiCoPO4 remains a benchmark material for studying the practical limits of high-voltage cathode operation. Every lot ships with a certificate of analysis documenting particle size, purity, and phase composition.

Surface Area (m²/g) :	<5
Particle Size d₅₀ (μm) :	<3
Purity (%)	>99.8

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Description

Introduction to Lithium Cobalt Phosphate Powder

Lithium Cobalt Phosphate (LiCoPO₄) is an orthorhombic olivine cathode material (Pnma) structurally related to LiFePO₄ and LiMnPO₄. Its framework consists of CoO₆ octahedra, one-dimensional lithium-diffusion channels, and rigid PO₄ tetrahedra that provide strong structural and thermal stability. LiCoPO₄ offers a high operating voltage near 4.8 V vs. Li/Li⁺, providing attractive energy-density potential while exceeding the stability window of conventional carbonate electrolytes. Electrolyte oxidation, gas generation, and capacity degradation therefore remain key challenges, requiring specialised electrolytes, additives, or protective coatings. Supplied as fine, free-flowing powder, LiCoPO₄ is primarily used for research, coin-cell prototyping, high-voltage electrolyte screening, and fundamental studies of olivine cathode chemistry.

FAQs

Question: What is lithium cobalt phosphate (LiCoPO4)?

Answer: Lithium cobalt phosphate (LiCoPO4) is an inorganic compound used as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries.

Question: How is LiCoPO4 used in batteries?

Answer: LiCoPO4 acts as the positive electrode that leads to lithium ion's mobility during the charging and discharging cycles. Therefore, it contributes to the battery's overall performance.

Question: What are the advantages of using LiCoPO4 in batteries?

Answer: LiCoPO4 offers improved thermal stability, enhanced cycling performance, and a higher energy density than other cathode materials.

Question: Is LiCoPO4 safe for use in consumer products?

Answer: LiCoPO4 is considered safe for consumer products, provided the safety standards are followed.

Question: What is the future of LiCoPO4 in energy storage technology?

Answer: The growing demand for efficient energy storage solutions makes LiCoPO4 a significant player in developing advanced battery technologies for various applications, including renewable energy and electric vehicles.

Introduction to Lithium Cobalt Phosphate Powder

Property	Value	Significance
Chemical Formula	LiCoPO4	Defines the olivine phosphate composition and 1:1:1:4 stoichiometry of Li, Co, P, and O
CAS Number	13824-63-0	Unique substance identifier used for regulatory tracking, sourcing, and safety documentation
Molar Mass	160.85 g/mol	Basis for theoretical capacity and electrode-loading calculations
Crystal Structure	Orthorhombic olivine, space group Pnma	Isostructural with LiFePO4/LiMnPO4; enables 1-D Li+ diffusion channels and structural robustness
Voltage Plateau	~4.8 V vs Li/Li+	One of the highest redox potentials among olivine cathodes; drives high theoretical energy density but exceeds most electrolyte stability windows
Theoretical Specific Capacity	~167 mAh/g	Comparable to LiFePO4 on a per-gram basis, based on one-electron Co2+/Co3+ redox per formula unit
Particle Size (D50)	< 3 μm (sub-micron grades available)	Finer particles shorten Li+ diffusion paths and improve achievable rate capability.
Purity	99% – 99.9% (up to 99.999% on request)	Higher purity reduces trace transition-metal and Fe cross-contamination that can degrade cycling performance.

Property

Value

Significance

Chemical Formula

LiCoPO4

Defines the olivine phosphate composition and 1:1:1:4 stoichiometry of Li, Co, P, and O

CAS Number

13824-63-0

Unique substance identifier used for regulatory tracking, sourcing, and safety documentation

Molar Mass

160.85 g/mol

Basis for theoretical capacity and electrode-loading calculations

Crystal Structure

Orthorhombic olivine, space group Pnma

Isostructural with LiFePO4/LiMnPO4; enables 1-D Li+ diffusion channels and structural robustness

Voltage Plateau

~4.8 V vs Li/Li+

One of the highest redox potentials among olivine cathodes; drives high theoretical energy density but exceeds most electrolyte stability windows

Theoretical Specific Capacity

~167 mAh/g

Comparable to LiFePO4 on a per-gram basis, based on one-electron Co2+/Co3+ redox per formula unit

Particle Size (D50)

< 3 μm (sub-micron grades available)

Finer particles shorten Li+ diffusion paths and improve achievable rate capability.

Purity

99% – 99.9% (up to 99.999% on request)

Higher purity reduces trace transition-metal and Fe cross-contamination that can degrade cycling performance.

Grade / Form	Typical Purity	Key Features / Uses
Standard-Purity Powder	99% (2N)	Cost-effective grade for early-stage screening, structural characterisation, and non-electrochemical studies
Battery-Grade Powder	99.5% – 99.8%	Reduced trace-metal content suited to coin-cell half-cell assembly and cycling benchmarks
High-Purity Powder (4N)	99.99%	Low trace-metal background for electrochemical and spectroscopic studies sensitive to impurities
Ultra-High-Purity Powder (5N)	99.999%	Reserved for fundamental structural, spectroscopic, and diffusion-mechanism research requiring minimal defect chemistry
Nano-Structured / Carbon-Coated Powder	99%+	Sub-micron particles with optional carbon coating to improve electronic conductivity and rate performance

Grade / Form

Typical Purity

Key Features / Uses

Standard-Purity Powder

99% (2N)

Cost-effective grade for early-stage screening, structural characterisation, and non-electrochemical studies

Battery-Grade Powder

99.5% – 99.8%

Reduced trace-metal content suited to coin-cell half-cell assembly and cycling benchmarks

High-Purity Powder (4N)

99.99%

Low trace-metal background for electrochemical and spectroscopic studies sensitive to impurities

Ultra-High-Purity Powder (5N)

99.999%

Reserved for fundamental structural, spectroscopic, and diffusion-mechanism research requiring minimal defect chemistry

Nano-Structured / Carbon-Coated Powder

99%+

Sub-micron particles with optional carbon coating to improve electronic conductivity and rate performance

Industry	Application	Function
Battery R&D Laboratories	High-voltage cathode prototyping	Fabricate coin cells and half-cells to evaluate LiCoPO4’s ~4.8 V redox behaviour.
Academic & Materials Science Research	Olivine structure-property studies	Probe Li+ diffusion pathways, phase transitions, and doping effects within the Pnma framework
Electrolyte Development	High-voltage electrolyte screening	Benchmark novel electrolyte formulations and additives against LiCoPO4’s demanding oxidative stability requirement
Doping & Substitution Studies	Fe/Mn/Ni-substituted olivine cathodes	Synthesise mixed-metal LiCo1-xMxPO4 systems to tune voltage, capacity, and cycling stability.
Battery Safety Research	Thermal and structural stability testing	Compare phosphate-olivine thermal runaway behaviour against layered oxide cathode chemistries.
Aerospace & Speciality Power Systems	High-energy-density power source development	Explore lightweight, high-voltage cell chemistries for weight-sensitive or research power applications.

Industry

Application

Function

Battery R&D Laboratories

High-voltage cathode prototyping

Fabricate coin cells and half-cells to evaluate LiCoPO4’s ~4.8 V redox behaviour.

Academic & Materials Science Research

Olivine structure-property studies

Probe Li+ diffusion pathways, phase transitions, and doping effects within the Pnma framework

Electrolyte Development

High-voltage electrolyte screening

Benchmark novel electrolyte formulations and additives against LiCoPO4’s demanding oxidative stability requirement