Graphene-Encapsulated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles with 3D Laminated Structure as Superior Anode in Lithium Ion Batteries

✍ Scribed by Dr. Jia-Zhao Wang; Chao Zhong; Dr. David Wexler; Nurul Hayati Idris; Prof. Zhao-Xiang Wang; Prof. Li-Quan Chen; Prof. Hua-Kun Liu

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 602 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0947-6539
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201001348

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Fe~3~O~4~–graphene composites with three‐dimensional laminated structures have been synthesised by a simple in situ hydrothermal method. From field‐emission and transmission electron microscopy results, the Fe~3~O~4~ nanoparticles, around 3–15 nm in size, are highly encapsulated in a graphene nanosheet matrix. The reversible Li‐cycling properties of Fe~3~O~4~–graphene have been evaluated by galvanostatic discharge–charge cycling, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the Fe~3~O~4~–graphene nanocomposite with a graphene content of 38.0 wt % exhibits a stable capacity of about 650 mAh g^−1^ with no noticeable fading for up to 100 cycles in the voltage range of 0.0–3.0 V. The superior performance of Fe~3~O~4~–graphene is clearly established by comparison of the results with those from bare Fe~3~O~4~. The graphene nanosheets in the composite materials could act not only as lithium storage active materials, but also as an electronically conductive matrix to improve the electrochemical performance of Fe~3~O~4~.