One-step synthesis of hollow porous Fe 3O 4 beads-reduced graphene oxide composites with superior battery performance

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a novel hollow porous Fe 3O 4 bead-rGO composite structure for lithium ion battery anode application via a facile solvothermal route. The formation of hollow porous Fe 3O 4 beads and reduction of graphene oxide (GO) into rGO were accomplished in one step by using ethylene glycol (EG) as a reducing agent. In this composite structure, the hollow porous Fe 3O 4 beads were either chemically attached or tightly wrapped with rGO sheets, leading to a strong synergistic effect between them. As a result, the obtained Fe 3O 4-rGO composite electrodes could deliver a reversible capacity of 1039 mA h g -1 after 170 cycles between 3 V and 50 mV at a current density of 100 mA g -1, with an increment of 30% compared to their initial reversible capacity, demonstrating their superior cycling stability. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.