Superior lithium-storage properties derived from a g-C3N4-embedded honeycomb-shaped meso@mesoporous carbon nanofiber anode loaded with Fe2O3 for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

In this work, a honeycomb-shaped meso@mesoporous carbon nanofiber material incorporating homogeneously dispersed ultra-fine Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (denoted as Fe₂O₃@g-C₃N₄@H-MMCN) is synthesised through a pyrolysis process. The honeycomb-shaped configuration of the meso@mesoporous carbon nanofiber material derived from a natural bio-carbon source (crab shell) acts as a support for an anode material for Li-ion batteries. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is produced via the one-step pyrolysis of urea at high temperature under an N₂ atmosphere without the assistance of additives. The resulting favorable electrochemical performance, with superior rate capabilities (1067 mA h g⁻¹ at 1000 mA g⁻¹), a remarkable specific capacity (1510 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹), and steady cycling performance (782.9 mA h g⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 2000 mA g⁻¹), benefitted from the advantages of both the host material and the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, which play an important role due to their ultra-fine particle size of 5 nm. The excellent cycle life and high capacity demonstrate that this strategy of strong synergistic effects represents a new pathway for pursuing high-electrochemical-performance materials for lithium-ion batteries.