Fe3O4 nanoflakes-RGO composites: A high rate anode material for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, broccoli-like multichannel FeCO3 microspheres were synthesized via one-pot hydrothermal process at low temperature. Then, a successful phase and morphology transformation from FeCO3 to Fe3O4 was realized to form the Fe3O4-RGO composites via a low temperature hydrolysis reaction in the presence of graphene and hydrazine. The multichannel structure of FeCO3 microspheres benefits for the permeation of alkaline solution, improves the dispersion of Fe2+ and further makes Fe3O4 homogeneously anchored on RGO sheets. Therefore, the Fe3O4 -RGO composites show a satisfied property of 925.3 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1). Moreover, this anode material still delivers capacity of 636.1 mAh g(-1) after 1000 cycles at 500 mA g(-1). This work provides a new route for synthesizing metal oxide and their composites, which will find potential application in the field of energy storage.