Improving the cycle stability of FeCl3-graphite intercalation compounds by polar Fe2O3 trapping in lithium-ion batteries

FeCl3-intercalated graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) with high reversible capacity and high volumetric energy density are attractive anode material alternatives of commercial graphite. However, the rapid capacity decay, which was induced by chloride dissolution and shuttling issues, hindered their practical application. To address this problem, here, we introduce flake-like Fe2O3 species with inherently polar surface on the edge of FeCl3-intercalated GICs through microwave-assisted transformation of a fraction of FeCl3 component. Theoretical simulations and physical/electrochemical studies demonstrate that the introduced Fe2O3 component can afford sufficient polar active sites for chemically bonding the soluble FeCl3 and LiCl species based on the polar-polar interaction mechanism, further inhibiting the outward diffusion of the chlorides and immobilizing them within the GIC material. In a lithium ion cell, the FeCl3-intercalated GIC with a suitable Fe2O3 content shows remarkably improved cycling stability with a high reversible capacity of 1,041 mAh center dot g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA center dot g(-1). Capacity retention of 91% is achieved at a high current density of 1,000 mA center dot g(-1) over 300 cycles. This work opens up the new prospect for immobilizing chlorides by introducing inorganic species in GIC for long-cycle electrochemical batteries.