Three-dimensional nanoporous Fe₂O₃/Fe₃C-graphene heterogeneous thin films for lithium-ion batteries

ACS Nano. 2014 Apr 22;8(4):3939-46. doi: 10.1021/nn500865d. Epub 2014 Apr 1.

Abstract

Three-dimensional self-organized nanoporous thin films integrated into a heterogeneous Fe2O3/Fe3C-graphene structure were fabricated using chemical vapor deposition. Few-layer graphene coated on the nanoporous thin film was used as a conductive passivation layer, and Fe3C was introduced to improve capacity retention and stability of the nanoporous layer. A possible interfacial lithium storage effect was anticipated to provide additional charge storage in the electrode. These nanoporous layers, when used as an anode in lithium-ion batteries, deliver greatly enhanced cyclability and rate capacity compared with pristine Fe2O3: a specific capacity of 356 μAh cm(-2) μm(-1) (3560 mAh cm(-3) or ∼1118 mAh g(-1)) obtained at a discharge current density of 50 μA cm(-2) (∼0.17 C) with 88% retention after 100 cycles and 165 μAh cm(-2) μm(-1) (1650 mAh cm(-3) or ∼518 mAh g(-1)) obtained at a discharge current density of 1000 μA cm(-2) (∼6.6 C) for 1000 cycles were achieved. Meanwhile an energy density of 294 μWh cm(-2) μm(-1) (2.94 Wh cm(-3) or ∼924 Wh kg(-1)) and power density of 584 μW cm(-2) μm(-1) (5.84 W cm(-3) or ∼1834 W kg(-1)) were also obtained, which may make these thin film anodes promising as a power supply for micro- or even nanosized portable electronic devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Lithium / chemistry*
  • Nanopores*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Graphite
  • Lithium