N-doped graphitic carbon coated Fe2O3 using dopamine as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

Fe2O3 has attracted substantial attention due to environmentally benign and low-cost chemical compositions, and high theoretical capacity (about 1007 mAh g−1). However, Fe2O3 electrode suffers from low electrical and ionic conductivities as well as its large volume expansion during cycles. To alleviate these issues, Fe2O3 nanoparticles are uniformly wrapped by N-doped graphitic carbon (NGC) using dopamine as single carbon and nitrogen sources through a facile method. The complete conversion reaction of Fe2O3 is observed in the initial discharge process. The thickness of carbon layers is simply adjusted by controlling the self-polymerization of dopamine. The Fe2O3/N-doped graphitic carbon (Fe2O3/NGC) represents the excellent cycling performance with reversible discharge capacity of 502.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after 150 cycles as well as high-rate cycling properties. In addition, a sodium full cell comprised of Fe2O3/NGC||Na3V2(PO4)3 exhibits notable electrochemical performances.