Polydopamine functionalized graphene/NiFe2O4 nanocomposite with improving Li storage performances

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 6; pp. 51 - 58
• Main Authors: Xiao, Yinglin, Zai, Jiantao, Li, Xiaomin, Gong, Yong, Li, Bo, Han, Qianyan, Qian, Xuefeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anode materials; Applied sciences; Chemical synthesis methods; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Functionalization; Graphene; Materials; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; NiFe2O4; Physics; Polydopamine; Polydopamine; NiFe2O4; Functionalization; Graphene; Anode materials; Performance evaluation; Lithium ion batteries; In situ; Reversible capacity; O; Ferrites spinels; Satellite navigation; Nanocomposite; Performance; Chemical synthesis; Nanostructured materials; NiFe
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.03.006

Polydopamine (PDA) functionalized graphene/NiFe2O4 (GNSs–PDA–NiFe2O4) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized through an in-situ ultrasonic method. The obtained GNSs–PDA–NiFe2O4 nanocomposite shows a reversible capacity up to 947mAhg−1 and much improved rate capability, e.g. delivering a capacity of 562mAhg−1 at 5Ag−1, about 7 times higher than that of graphene/NiFe2O4 nanocomposite. The improvement in the rate capability of the obtained GNSs–PDA–NiFe2O4 nanocomposite can be attributed to the improved interactions between graphene and NiFe2O4 derived from PDA, and a high conductive network fabricated by PDA functionalized graphene, which can be supported by TEM images and EIS measurements. Further studies reveal the strong graphene–NiFe2O4 interactions are also beneficial for retaining the high conductive network after the charge–discharge processes, and further beneficial for its cyclic stability. [Display omitted] •GNSs–PDA–NiFe2O4 synthesized by in-situ ultrasonic process shows 838mAhg−1 at 1Ag−1 after 100 cycles.•The enhanced lithium storage performances can be attributed to the nature of PDA interlayers.•PDA interlayers can enhance the mechanical connections between GNSs/NiFe2O4 and build a conductive network.•Covalent nature of PDA can improve the wettability of composite in organic electrolyte and decrease charge transfer resistance.