A facile synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles/graphene for high-performance lithium/sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

In this study, a facile, simple, and inexpensive co-precipitation method is used to fabricate diamond-like Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle/graphene composites for use as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) electrode materials. In our synthesis, high-temperature treatment and complicated procedures and apparatus are avoided. Physical characterizations reveal that the as-prepared product is composed of a large fraction of diamond-like Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles uniformly distributed on thin graphene nanosheets. Compared to bare Fe₃O₄ and most of the previously reported studies, the as-obtained Fe₃O₄/graphene composite exhibits greatly enhanced electrochemical properties for both LIBs and SIBs, including excellent reversible capacity, superior cyclability and good rate performance. Specifically, when tested as an anode for LIBs, the Fe₃O₄/graphene composite shows specific capacity of 1430 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹. The initial discharge capacity tested in SIBs is 855 mA h g⁻¹, and after 40 cycles, the discharge capacity stabilizes at ∼210 mA h g⁻¹ for 250 cycles. The excellent performance can be attributed to the greatly improved electrical conductivity, large surface area and excellent stability of the electrode material.