title: New synthesis of a Foamlike Fe3O4/C composite via a self-expanding process and its electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
abstract: A novel foamlike Fe3O4/C composite is prepared via a sol-gel type method with gelatin as the carbon source and ferric nitrate as the iron source, following a postannealing treatment. Its lithium storage properties as anode material for a lithium-ion battery are thoroughly investigated in this work. With the interaction between ferric nitrate and gelatin, the foamlike architecture is attained through a unique self-expanding process. The Fe3O4/C composite possesses abundant porous structure along with highly dispersed Fe3O4 nanocrystal embedment in the carbon matrix. In the constructed architecture, the 3D porous network property ensures electrolyte accessibility; meanwhile, nanosized Fe3O4 promotes lithiation/delithiation, owing to numerous active sites, large electrolyte contact area, and a short lithium ion diffusion path. As a result, this Fe3O4/C composite electrode demonstrates an excellent cycling stability with a reversible capacity of 1008 mA h g(-1) over 400 cycles at 0.2C (1C = 1000 mA g(-1)), as well as a superior rate performance with reversible capacity of 660 and 580 mA h g(-1) at 3C and 5C, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Environment, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Daobin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Borong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: anode; foamlike structure; lithium-ion batteries; magnetite; self-expanding process