Enhanced cycling performance of Fe 3O 4–graphene nanocomposite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Fe 3O 4–graphene nanocomposite was prepared by a gas/liquid interface reaction. The structure and morphology of the Fe 3O 4–graphene nanocomposite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performances were evaluated in coin-type cells. Electrochemical tests show that the Fe 3O 4–22.7 wt.% graphene nanocomposite exhibits much higher capacity retention with a large reversible specific capacity of 1048 mAh g −1 (99% of the initial reversible specific capacity) at the 90th cycle in comparison with that of the bare Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles (only 226 mAh g −1 at the 34th cycle). The enhanced cycling performance can be attributed to the facts that the graphene sheets distributed between the Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles can prevent the aggregation of the Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles, and the Fe 3O 4–graphene nanocomposite can provide buffering spaces against the volume changes of Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles during electrochemical cycling.