The closed-environment CVD method for preparing three-dimensional defect controllable graphene foam with a conductive interconnected network for lithium-ion battery applications

Abstract

A 3D defect controllable graphene foam (GF) with a conductive interconnected network is prepared by a CVD process in a closed environment, which we refer to as the closed-environment CVD method. The resulting GF is not only high quality, but is also provided with controllable defect density, offering a great potential in Lithium-ion battery (LIB) applications. When ZnO is anchored on the 3D GF to construct a ZnO/GF composite as the anode for LIBs, benefiting from the advantages of graphene and unique structural features, it exhibits a high reversible capacity of 851.5 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, good cycling performance and excellent rate capability. Notably, the higher defect density of GF leads to an increase in the capacity of ZnO/GF, meanwhile, it maintains an excellent rate performance.