Synthesis and characterization of carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

• Carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes have been synthesized by hydrothermal method.
• The nanocomposite electrode shows a large reversible capacity up to 740 mAh g−1.
• The nanocomposite electrode shows promising cycling stability and rate capability.

The carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes were synthesized by partial reduction of monodispersed hematite (Fe2O3) nanoflakes with carbon coating. The carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements. It has been demonstrated that Fe2O3 can be completely converted to Fe3O4 during the reduction process and carbon can be successfully coated on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoflakes, forming a conductive matrix. As anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes exhibit a large reversible capacity up to 740 mAh g−1 with significantly improved cycling stability and rate capability compared to the bare Fe2O3 nanoflakes. The superior electrochemical performance of the carbon-coated Fe3O4 nanoflakes can be attributed to the synthetic effects between small particle size and highly conductive carbon matrix.

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