Synthesis of 3D nitrogen-doped graphene/Fe3O4 by a metal ion induced self-assembly process for high-performance Li-ion batteries

Abstract

We demonstrate the fabrication of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene (3D N–G)/nanoparticle anode architectures consisting of 3D N–G networks and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. In such a hybrid structure, the N–G networks act as a buffer matrix to accommodate the volume change of Fe₃O₄, and the interconnected N–G sheets effectively prevent the aggregation of nanoparticles during cycling, both of which enable the structural integrity and electrochemical stabilization of such composite electrodes. Furthermore, the as-obtained porous nitrogen-doped hybrid materials promote efficient transport of both lithium ions and electrons upon charging/discharging, and also provide defect sites as Li⁺ active sites on the surface of N–G sheets. As a result, the hybrids exhibit much-improved lithium storage performance.