Graphene based magnetite carbon nanofiber composites as anodes for high-performance Li-ion batteries

Abstract

For energy storage applications, highly flexible free-standing electrodes are ideal for the fabrication of electrochemical cells. In the present study, reduced graphene doped magnetite carbon nanofiber (rGO/Fe₃O₄ CNF) composite electrodes were prepared using a facile and eco-friendly electrospinning technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray phosphorescence spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the structural properties and chemical state of the composites. The rGO/Fe₃O₄ CNF composites had a high specific surface area of 253.85 m² g⁻¹ and a pore volume of 0.243 cm³ g⁻¹. The rGO/Fe₃O₄ CNF composites can be employed without any conductive agents as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As a freestanding electrode, the rGO/Fe₃O₄ CNF composite demonstrated a specific discharge capacity of 1514 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, it demonstrated excellent cycling performance, maintaining a capacity of 1126 mA h g⁻¹ for 200 cycles despite a high current density of 1 A g⁻¹. The enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the flexible freestanding characteristics of the electrode and the synergistic effect between one dimensional (1D) CNFs, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NP) and rGO. Therefore, freestanding rGO/Fe₃O₄ CNF electrodes can be used as potential candidates for practical applications in flexible electronics.