Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles Anchored on Functionalized Graphene Oxide for High Performance Lithium Ion Battery

Abstract

Today, owing to long-term stability, high-energy density and safety, rechargeable lithium ion batteries have been used in many portable electronic devices. Unfortunately, the commercial graphite anode materials cannot meet the rapidly increasing demand of electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicle and advanced energy storage devices. Attractively, due to the superior theoretical specific capacities, wide abundance and low cost, spinel structured ferrites (MFe2O4) stand out from various novel anode materials for next-generation LIBs. However, the application of MFe2O4electrodes was restricted by the enormous volume changes during the process of lithium insertion/extraction and low intrinsic electronic conductivity, which resulting in poor cycling stability and rate capability. Enormous efforts has been done to enhanced the stability and electronic conductivity, supporting on the graphene oxide as one of the most effective methods draws large attention, compared with carbon nanotubes, carbon black and carbon coating. In this present work, graphene oxide was functionalized by piperazine (PG) to enhance the surface properties and the wettability. The ternary nanocomposites was synthesized through reflux process and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. The as-obtained CoFe2O4/PG nanocomposites delivered an excellent reversible capacity of 1050 mAh g-1 at the current density of 100 mA g-1 after 50 cycles. Even at a large current density of 1000 mA g−1, a reversible capacity of 720.8 mA h g−1 can still be retained. The outstanding cycling performance and rate capability can be contributed to the stability, predominant electroconductibility and favourable surface wettability of the functionalized graphene oxide, and the remarkable synergistic effect between CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and functionalized graphene oxide sheets.