Fe3O4@Ti3C2 MXene hybrids with ultrahigh volumetric capacity as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The volumetric capacity of lithium-ion batteries is becoming an increasingly important parameter restricting their practical applications in limited space, such as in portable electronic products and electric vehicles. Therefore, novel electrode materials with high volumetric capacities are urgently desirable. Aiming to pursue such kind of electrode materials, a new Fe₃O₄@Ti₃C₂ MXene hybrid is fabricated through a simple ultrasonication of Ti₃C₂ MXene and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Multi-layered Ti₃C₂ MXene in the prepared hybrids acts as a superior host to load Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles due to its open two dimensional structure, favorable electrical conductivity and low Li⁺ diffusion barrier. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis show that the Ti₃C₂ MXene could be homogeneously covered by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles at a mass ratio of 5 : 2. As an anode material, the Fe₃O₄@Ti₃C₂-2:5 hybrid exhibits high reversible capacities of 747.4 mA h g⁻¹ at 1C after 1000 cycles and 278.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 5C after 800 cycles, which indicate its long cycle lifetime and excellent stability. More importantly, the hybrid material possesses an outstanding volumetric capacity up to 2038 mA h cm⁻³ at 1C due to the high compact density of the electrode of the prepared hybrid. This study provides further insight into the application of transition metal oxides@MXene hybrids as high volumetric performance anode electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.