Fabrication of helical SiO2@Fe–N doped C nanofibers and their applications as stable lithium ion battery anodes and superior oxygen reduction reaction catalysts

Abstract

Helical silica nanofibers have been prepared based on a sol-gel transcription approach. After covering a layer of m-phenylenediamine formaldehyde resin and consequent carbonization, SiO2@Fe–N doped C nanofibers with C content of 33.7 wt% and N content of 3.86 wt% were produced successfully. When applied as the electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), they exhibit a high reversible capacity of 1274 mA h g−1 in the 1000th cycle and superior rating capability, implying the possibility as outstanding candidate anode materials for LIBs. Additionally, owing to the doping of Fe2O3 and N, the nanofibers also exhibit a well-performed oxygen reduction reaction activity, which is comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalyst.