Effect of degree of reduction on the anode performance of reduced graphene oxide in Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Graphene-based materials are considered to be promising anodes for achieving high energy and power densities in Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Despite intensive research on reduced graphene oxide (rG-O) on this aspect, few have addressed the relationship between LIB performance and the degree of reduction of graphene oxide. In this work, we study the performance of LIB anodes using rG-O materials with different oxygen levels. A series of rG-O samples is produced by refluxing an aqueous graphene oxide suspension for different durations. The C/O ratios of the materials are found to increase gradually from approximately 1 to 6, with no heteroatoms other than oxygen atoms. The rG-O sample with the lowest degree of reduction delivers the highest anodic capacity and good durability.