One-pot solvothermal synthesis of graphene wrapped rice-like ferrous carbonate nanoparticles as anode materials for high energy lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Well dispersed rice-like FeCO₃ nanoparticles were produced and combined with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via a one-pot solvothermal route. SEM characterization shows that rice-like FeCO₃ nanoparticles are homogeneously anchored on the surface of the graphene nanosheets; the addition of RGO is helpful to form a uniform morphology and reduce the particle size of FeCO₃ to nano-grade. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the FeCO₃/RGO nanocomposites exhibit significantly improved lithium storage properties with a large reversible capacity of 1345 mA h g⁻¹ for the first cycle and a capacity retention of 1224 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles with a good rate capability compared with pure FeCO₃ particles. The superior electrochemical performance of the FeCO₃/RGO nanocomposite electrode compared to the pure FeCO₃ electrode can be attributed to the well dispersed RGO which enhances the electronic conductivity and accommodates the volume change during the conversion reactions. Our study shows that the FeCO₃/RGO nanocomposite could be a suitable candidate for high capacity lithium-ion batteries.