Three-dimensional Fe3O4/carbonaceous matrix with long-life performance for high-rate lithium ion batteries

Three-dimensional (3D) Fe3O4/carbonaceous matrix composites are successfully assembled via a facile hydrothermal treatment of precursor followed by heat-decomposition process. Cellulose acetate (CA), a kind of polymer, as carbon source, can form a flexible and uniform 3D carbon matrix after carbonation at 500 °C, in addition of the highly degree uniformity with active Fe3O4 particles. When applied as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, these 3D Fe3O4/C composites exhibit superior electrochemical performance after prolonged cycling at high rates (∼790 mA h g−1 at 2C after 1000 cycles) and good rate capability at changing rates of 0.1C-3C-0.1C. The excellent performance observed from the electrochemical measurement can be attributed to the 3D architecture and the micro-carbonaceous matrix, both of which play important buffering role in the balance of volume variation and provide an excellent conductive matrix for high rate charge-discharge process.