Large-scale synthesis of Fe3Se4/C composites assembled by aligned nanorods as advanced anode material for lithium storage

Carbon coated Fe3Se4 (Fe3Se4/C) composites are synthesized on a large scale by facile solid-state reaction between the commercial FeC2O4·2H2O and selenium powders using citric acid as carbon source. The Fe3Se4/C composites with porous structures are composed of aligned carbon coated nanorods. As anode material, the Fe3Se4/C composites show higher reversible discharge specific capacity and cycling stability than unmodified Fe3Se4, performing 711.1 mAh g−1 and 551 mAh g−1 for first and second discharge capacities at 0.1 A g−1, and delivering a reversible capacity of 434.4 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 with a capacity retention of 98.3% after 100 cycles. The improved electrochemical properties could be ascribed to the introduction of coated carbon, enhancing structure stability during cycling and improving the electrical conductivity.