Synthesis of Fe2O3–CNT–graphene hybrid materials with an open three-dimensional nanostructure for high capacity lithium storage

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 2; no. 3; pp. 425 - 434
• Main Authors: Chen, Shuangqiang, Bao, Peite, Wang, Guoxiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bamboo-like carbon nanotubes; Chemical vapor deposition; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fe2O3 nanorings; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Graphene nanosheets; Lithium ion battery; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Materials; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotubes; Physics; Specific materials; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Graphene nanosheets; Lithium ion battery; Fe2O3 nanorings; Chemical vapor deposition; Bamboo-like carbon nanotubes; Lithium ion batteries; Nanosheet; Hybrid material; nanorings; Carbon nanotubes; Nanostructures; O; CVD; Three dimensional model; Satellite navigation; Graphene; Growth mechanism; Nanoring; Nanostructured materials; Fe
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2012.11.012
• ISSN: 2211-2855

Fe2O3–CNT–graphene nanosheet (Fe2O3–CNT–GNS) hybrid materials were synthesized using a chemical vapor deposition method. The as-prepared materials consist of Fe2O3 nanorings, bamboo-like carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets, which form an open three-dimensional architecture. For the first time, we observed the growth of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes with open tips, which were catalyzed by iron nanorings. When applied as anode materials in lithium ion batteries, the Fe2O3–CNT–GNS hybrid materials exhibited a high specific capacity of 984mAhg−1 with a superior cycling stability and high rate capability. This could be ascribed to short Li+ diffusion path of bamboo-like CNTs, more active reaction sites provided by graphene layers inside CNTs, flexible and highly conductive graphene nanosheets, and an open three-dimensional structure. [Display omitted] ► Hybrid materials with 3D nanostructure were synthesized by a CVD method. ► The growth of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes was catalyzed by Fe nanorings. ► Fe2O3–CNT–GNS materials exhibited superior performance in Li ion batteries. ► Open 3D nanoarchitecture contributes to fast lithium storage.