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One-pot co-precipitation synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in 3D carbonaceous matrix as anode for lithium ion batteries

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Abstract

Fe3O4@C nanoparticles with a 3D net-like structure were synthesized via a facile and scalable one-pot co-precipitation followed by a subsequent carbonization in an Ar atmosphere. Verified by scanning and transmission electron microscopy characterization, it can be seen that Fe3O4 nanoparticles with the size of 10–15 nm were embedded in a uniform carbon shell with a thickness of around 2 nm. Furthermore, the corresponding XRD and EDS analysis combined with TEM images also proved that the thin carbon layer on the nano-scale Fe3O4 was amorphous. The charge/discharge tests showed that Fe3O4@C composite delivered an excellent reversible capacity of 980 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 92.4 mA g−1, which was much higher than that of the pure Fe3O4 (170 mAh g−1) synthesized by the same method. The outstanding reversible capacity is attributed to the small size of Fe3O4 particles and the high conductivity and mechanical strength of the amorphous carbon layer, which accelerates the electron transfer and relieves structure collapse caused by mechanical stress, thus maintaining a superior electrochemical stability.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Open Fund of efficient Utilization of Solar Energy by Hubei Province Collaborative Innovation Center [HBSKFZD2015001], Cooperation projects of China-UK Research and Innovation Bridge Project [2016YFE0124300] and Maker Venture Funding Technology Innovation (2007) [CKCY2017042814264604].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for High-Efficiency Utilization of Solar Energy, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, People’s Republic of China

    Qing Ai, Renzhong Huang, Canxing Yang, Guodong Jiang, Jian Xiong, Zhen Huang & Songdong Yuan

  2. The Synergistic Innovation Center of Catalysis Materials of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430068, People’s Republic of China

    Guodong Jiang, Jian Xiong & Songdong Yuan

  3. College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China

    Zewei Yuan

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  1. Qing Ai
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Correspondence to Songdong Yuan.

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Ai, Q., Yuan, Z., Huang, R. et al. One-pot co-precipitation synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in 3D carbonaceous matrix as anode for lithium ion batteries. J Mater Sci 54, 4212–4224 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-3141-3

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