Scalable synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles anchored on graphene as a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries

We report a scalable strategy to synthesize Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposites as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries. In this study, ferric citrate is used as precursor to prepare Fe3O4 nanoparticles without introducing additional reducing agent; furthermore and show that such Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be anchored on graphene sheets which attributed to multifunctional group effect of citrate. Electrochemical characterization of the Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposites exhibit large reversible capacity (similar to 1347 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 0.2 C up to 100 cycles, and subsequent capacity of similar to 619 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 2 C up to 200 cycles), as well as high coulombic efficiency (similar to 97%), excellent rate capability, and good cyclic stability. High resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms that Fe3O4 nanoparticles, with a size of similar to 4-16 nm are densely anchored on thin graphene sheets, resulting in large synergetic effects between Fe3O4 nanoparticles and graphene sheets with high electrochemical performance. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.