One-Step Engineering Carbon Supported Magnetite Nanoparticles Composite in a Submicron Pomegranate Configuration for Superior Lithium-Ion Storage

In this work, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) that are well dispersed by a submicron sized carbon framework in a pomegranate shape are engineered using a flexible one-step spray pyrolysis strategy. Under inert gas atmosphere, the homogeneously mixed Fe3+ ions and chitosan (CS) molecules are in situ transformed to Fe3O4 nanoparticles and spherical nitrogen-doped carbon coating domains, respectively. Moreover, the obtained Fe3O4@C composite exhibits a unique submicron sized pomegranate configuration, in which favorable electric/ionic pathways have been constructed and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been effectively dispersed. When used as an anode electrochemical active material, the Fe3O4@C composite exhibits impressive lithium-ion storage capabilities, and maintains a reversible capacity of 500.2 mAh center dot g(-1) after 500 cycles at a high current density of 1000 mA center dot g(-1) as well as good rate capability. The strategy in this work is straightforward and effective, and the synthesized Fe3O4@C material has good potential in wider applications.

Automated summary

In this study, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) dispersed in a submicron sized carbon framework in a pomegranate shape were engineered using a flexible one-step spray pyrolysis strategy. Under an inert gas atmosphere, Fe3+ ions and chitosan (CS) molecules were transformed into Fe3O4 nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped carbon coating domains, respectively. The resulting Fe3O4@C composite exhibited a unique submicron sized pomegranate configuration, with favorable electric/ionic pathways and effective dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe3O4@C composite displayed impressive lithium-ion storage capabilities, maintaining a reversible capacity of 500.2 mAh center dot g(-1) after 500 cycles at a high current density of 1000 mA center dot g(-1), as well as good rate capability. The strategy used in this work is straightforward and effective, and the synthesized Fe3O4@C material has great potential for wider applications.