Low temperature synthesis of Fe3O4 micro-spheres and its application in lithium ion battery

Fe3O4 micro-spheres with nanoparticles close-packed architectures were synthesized via a simple chemical method using (NH4)(2)Fe(SO4)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, hexamethylenetetramine, and NaF as reaction materials. This chemical synthesis took place in a vitreous jar under low temperature (90 degrees C) and atmospheric pressure. The morphology and structure of the as-synthesized products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectrum. Electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized Fe3O4 micro-spheres as anode electrode of lithium ion batteries were studied by conventional charge/discharge tests, which exhibit steady charge/discharge platforms at different current densities. The as-prepared Fe3O4 electrode shows high initial discharge capacity of 1166 and 1082 mAh g(-1) at current density of 0.05 and 0.1 mA cm(-2), respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.