Encapsulation of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in graphitic carbon microspheres as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A novel "spray drying-carbonization-oxidation" strategy has been developed for the fabrication of α-Fe2O3-graphitic carbon (α-Fe2O3@GC) composite microspheres, in which α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with sizes of 30-50 nm are well-encapsulated by onion-like graphitic carbon shells with a thickness of 5-10 nm. In the constructed composite, the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles act as the primary active material, providing a high capacity. Meanwhile, the graphitic carbon shells serve as the secondary active component, structural stabilizer, interfacial stabilizer, and electron-highway. As a result, the synthesized α-Fe2O3@GC nanocomposite exhibits a superior lithium-ion battery performance with a high reversible capacity (898 mA h g(-1) at 400 mA g(-1)), outstanding rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. Our product, in terms of the facile and scalable preparation process and excellent electrochemical performance, demonstrates its great potential as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Pre-Lithiation Strategies for Rechargeable Energy Storage Technologies: Concepts, Promises and Challenges

“…In comparison to pre-lithiation with Li metal foil, also by use of SLMP, a wide variety of active materials has already been reported for pre-lithiation, e.g., Fe 2 O 3 [79], GeO x [80], TiO 2 [81], etc. After pre-lithiation, the Coulombic efficiency for these materials is significantly increased, i.e., for GeO x from ≈66% to ≈85.5% and for Fe 2 O 3 from ≈70% to ≈99.5%.…”

Enhanced rate capability and cycling stability of core/shell structured CoFe2O4/onion-like C nanocapsules for lithium-ion battery anodes

“…Compared with amorphous carbon, OLC exhibits the superior conductivity, thermal stability and chemical resistance. When applied as the anode material for LIBs, it shows not only higher reversible capacity but also better rate performance than commercialized graphite [27]. The TMO-OLC nanocomposite can integrate the advantages of both TMO (high capacity) and OLC (high rate capability and good cyclability).…”

Stem-like nano-heterostructural MWCNTs/α-Fe2O3@TiO2 composite with high lithium storage capability

“…45 Up to now, three main strategies have been widely proposed to address these 46 issues. First of all, fabricating various nanostructural morphology of α-Fe 2 O 3 , such as 47 nanoparticles [12], nanoneedles [13], nanorods [14], and nanosheets [15], is an 48 attainable way, which not only reduces Li + diffusion length within the free volume 49 around the nanoparticles, but also facilitates volume-strain relaxation [16,17]. The capacity of electrode, but also provides highways for Li + diffusion arising from its 88 tetragonal crystal structure, which gives TiO 2 an advantage over the traditional 89 carbons [27,[32][33][34].…”