One-step preparation of graphene nanosheets via ball milling of graphite and the application in lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 51; no. 8; pp. 3675 - 3683
• Main Authors: Zhu, Huihui, Cao, Yanlin, Zhang, Jizhen, Zhang, Wenling, Xu, Yuanhong, Guo, Jinxue, Yang, Wenrong, Liu, Jingquan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: agitation; Atomic force microscopes; Atomic force microscopy; Atomic properties; Ball milling; Batteries; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Dry ice; Electrodes; Electron diffraction; Electron microscopes; Fourier transforms; Graphene; Graphite; Iron oxides; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Mass production; Materials Science; milling; mixing; Nanosheets; Nanostructure; Optimization; Original Paper; Performance enhancement; Polymer Sciences; Rechargeable batteries; scanning electron microscopes; Scanning electron microscopy; Solid Mechanics; spectroscopy; stainless steel; Stainless steels; surface area; Transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction; Ball Milling; Composite Electrode; Ethylene Carbonate; Graphene Nanosheets; Graphene Sheet
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-015-9655-z

An improved method for mass production of good-quality graphene nanosheets (GNs) via ball milling pristine graphite with dry ice is presented. We also report the enhanced performance of these GNs as working electrode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this improved method, the decrease of necessary ball milling time from 48 to 24 h and the increase of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area from 389.4 to 490 m²/g might be resulted from the proper mixing of stainless steel balls with different diameters and the optimization of agitation speed. The as-prepared GNs are investigated in detail using a number of techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray diffractometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic. To demonstrate the potential applications of these GNs, the performances of the LIBs with pure Fe₃O₄ electrode and Fe₃O₄/graphene (Fe₃O₄/G) composite electrode were carefully evaluated. Compared to Fe₃O₄-LIBs, Fe₃O₄/G-LIBs exhibited prominently enhanced performance and a reversible specific capacity of 900 mAh g⁻¹ after 5 cycles at 100 and 490 mAh g⁻¹ after 5 cycles at 800 mA g⁻¹. The improved cyclic stability and enhanced rate capability were also obtained.