Abstract
Transition metal oxides on reduced graphene oxide (TMO@rGO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared via a very simple one-step solvothermal process, involving the simultaneous (thermal) reduction of graphene oxide to graphene and the deposition of TMO nanoparticles over its surface. Texture and morphology, microstructure, and chemical and surface compositions of the nanocomposites were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results prove that Fe2O3@rGO, CoFe2O4@rGO, and CoO@rGO are obtained by using Fe and/or Co acetates as oxide precursors, with the TMO nanoparticles uniformly anchored onto the surface of graphene sheets. The electrochemical performance of the most promising nanocomposite was evaluated as anode material for sodium ion batteries. The preliminary results of galvanostatic cycling prove that Fe2O3@rGO nanocomposite exhibits better rate capability and stability than both bare Fe2O3and Fe2O3+rGO physical mixture.
Highlights
Graphene-based nanocomposites have captured considerable attention due to their unique properties and the large variety of possible applications, ranging from sensing and energy storage to heterogeneous, electro, and photocatalysis [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The results prove that Fe2O3@rGO, CoFe2O4@rGO, and CoO@rGO are obtained by using Fe and/or Co acetates as oxide precursors, with the transition metal oxides (TMOs) nanoparticles uniformly anchored onto the surface of graphene sheets
Its 2θ angle position, shifted to lower angles with respect to strong and sharp diffraction (002) of pristine graphite at 26.7°, matches well with the values reported in the literature [15], suggesting that graphene oxide (GO) sheets are loosely stacked due to the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups (C=O, –COOH, –OH, and C–O–C) between the layer of graphite formed during oxidation
Summary
Graphene-based nanocomposites have captured considerable attention due to their unique properties and the large variety of possible applications, ranging from sensing and energy storage to heterogeneous, electro-, and photocatalysis [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Thanks to the striking combination of high specific surface area [7], chemical inertness [8], great mechanical strength [9], and excellent electrical and thermal conductivities [10], the utilization of graphene as an active support framework for functional nanoparticles (NPs) has open promising research areas. GO possesses a considerable fraction of sp3-hybridized carbon atoms, covalently decorated with oxygencontaining functional groups. These oxygen-containing functional groups, including hydroxyl and epoxy groups mainly at basal planes of the carbon sheets and carbonyl and carboxylic groups prevailingly at the edges, provide GO with a remarkable hydrophilic character and chemical reactivity. The oxygen-containing functionalities can act as potential anchoring sites for adsorbing diverse metal oxide NPs [4, 7, 16]
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