Combustion synthesis of MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite as a high-performance negative electrode for lithium ion batteries

Journal Article · Mon Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2014.06.024· OSTI ID:22403552

Rai, Alok Kumar; Thi, Trang Vu; Gim, Jihyeon; Kim, Jaekook

We present a facile and cost-effective urea-assisted auto-combustion method for synthesizing pure MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticle and MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite samples followed by annealing at 600 °C for 5 h under N{sub 2} atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the single phase formation for both samples. The obtained morphology of the nanocomposite sample shows that the MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles are highly dispersed on conductive graphene nanosheets with particle size in the range of 50–100 nm. When applied as an anode material, MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite electrode shows a high reversible charge capacity of 764.4 mAh g{sup −1} at 0.04 C over 60 charge/discharge cycles and in spite of that it also retained a capacity of 219.9 mAh g{sup −1} at high current rate of 4.2 C. The obtained result is much better than the synthesized pure MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticle electrode. The excellent electrochemical performance of the MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite electrode can be attributed to the strong favorable synergistic interaction between MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and reduced graphene nanosheets, which supplied a large number of accessible active sites for Li{sup +}-ion insertion and short diffusion length for both Li{sup +} ions and electrons. In addition, the graphene nanosheets in the nanocomposite electrode provide high conductivity and accommodate the large volume expansion/contraction during cycling, resulting in high capacity and long cycling stability. - Highlights: • MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite was synthesized by facile urea-assisted method. • Such well-designed structure results in fine and strong interfacial interaction. • Nanocomposite anode shows high rate capability and long cycling stability. • Better performance is due to synergistic effect between MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and graphene. • Simple, low cost and fast synthesis is attractive for large scale applications.

• OSTI ID: 22403552
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 95; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANODES
CAPACITY
COMBUSTION
DIFFUSION LENGTH
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRONS
FERRITES
GRAPHENE
LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MORPHOLOGY
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOPARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE
PHASE STABILITY
SHEETS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION