A simple route to preparing γ-Fe2O3/RGO composite electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 6; no. 9; pp. 448 - 454
• Main Authors: Xu, Binghui, Guan, Xianggang, Zhang, Lian Ying, Liu, Xiaowei, Jiao, Zhengbo, Liu, Xuehua, Hu, Xiaoqi, Zhao, X. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 27.02.2018
• Subjects: anodes; Batteries; Chemical synthesis; chemistry; Composite materials; cost effectiveness; Electrode materials; Experimental methods; ferric oxide; Graphene; graphene oxide; Hematite; iron; Iron oxides; Lithium; lithium batteries; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanoparticles; Rechargeable batteries; Sheets
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta10052c

A simple approach to synthesizing γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles encapsulated by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets is demonstrated for the first time. It was found that iron metal can substantially reduce few-layer graphene oxide (GO) to form reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in GO aqueous suspension under ambient conditions, and in the meantime be oxidized to form γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of RGO sheets. The γ-Fe 2 O 3 /RGO composite delivered both stable cycling performance and good rate capability when used as an anode in a lithium-ion battery cell. This novel experimental method for synthesizing γ-Fe 2 O 3 /RGO composite materials is cost-effective, eco-friendly and suitable for synthesizing other metal oxide/RGO composite materials. A simple approach to synthesizing γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles encapsulated by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets is demonstrated for the first time.