Fe3O4-carbon nanocomposites via a simple synthesis as anode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries

Fe3O4-carbon nanocomposites have been synthesized simply with a hydrothermal method free of template that is followed by an annealing process. The morphological and compositional analysis reveals that the inter-separated Fe3O4 nanocrystals with a size of similar to 10 nm are homogeneously embedded within the mesoporous carbon matrix. The interesting configuration is evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Benefiting from the advantages of good buffering and electric conductivity, the nanocomposite delivers an initial capacity of 1706 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C (1 C = 1 A g(-1)). Besides excellent lithium storage capability, it exhibits a superior cycling stability with more than 100% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.2 C and 1 C. When successively discharging at variable rates, the nanocomposite retains a reversible capacity of 1249 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C, 690 mAh g(-1) at 1 C, and 311 mAh g(-1) at 10 C. With excellent capability and rate performance, the Fe3O4-carbon nanocomposites may be a promising anode material of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) for the green large-scale production.