Fe3O4/C composites synthesized from Fe-based xerogels for anode materials of Li-ion batteries

•Fe3O4/C composites were synthesized by heating Fe-based xerogels.•Good electrochemical performance of Fe3O4/C composites was achieved.•Heating conditions are crucial in determining the composite nanostructure.

In this study, Fe3O4/carbon nanocomposites as anode materials of Li-ion batteries were synthesized through heating hierarchically porous Fe-based xerogels under N2 atmosphere. The pyrolysis of amorphous Fe-xerogel base materials resulted in the simultaneous formation of Fe3O4/C composites, in which Fe3O4 particles of less than 50 nm were uniformly dispersed and embedded in a porous carbon matrix. Due to the favorable nanostructure, the synthesized Fe3O4/C composites with a proper carbon content of 18.8 wt.% exhibited good electrochemical performance including high capacity and rate capability as well as much enhanced cyclic stability.