Fe3O4/Fe/Carbon Composite and Its Application as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A plum pudding-like Fe3O4/Fe/carbon composite was synthesized by a sal gel polymerization followed by a heat-treatment process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical test. In this composite, uniform spherical Fe3O4/Fe nano-particles of about 100 nm were embedded into carbon matrix with high monodispersion. As-prepared Fe3O4/Fe/carbon composite electrode exhibits a stable and reversible capacity of over 600 mA h g(-1) at a current of SO mA g(-1) between 0.002 V and 3.0 V, as well as excellent rate capability. The plum pudding-like structure, in which trace Fe promotes conductivity and carbon matrix mediates the volume change, can enhance the cycling performance and rate capability of Fe3O4 electrode. This unique structure is valuable for the preparation of other electrode materials.