Fabrication of FeF₃ nanocrystals dispersed into a porous carbon matrix as a high performance cathode material for lithium ion batteries

FeF₃/C nanocomposites, where FeF₃ nanocrystals had been dispersed into a porous carbon matrix, were successfully fabricated by a novel vapour-solid method in a tailored autoclave. Phase evolution of the reaction between the precursor and HF solution vapour under air and argon gas atmospheres were investigated. The results showed that the air in the autoclave played an important role in driving the reaction to form FeF₃. The as-prepared FeF₃/C delivered 134.3, 103.2 and 71.0 mA h g ^-1 of charge capacity at a current density of 104, 520, and 1040 mA g^-1 in turn, exhibiting superior rate capability to the bare FeF ₃. Moreover, it displayed stable cycling performance, with a charge capacity of 196.3 mA h g^-1 at 20.8 mA g^-1. EIS and BET investigations indicated that the good electrochemical performance can be attributed to the good electrical conductivity and high specific surface area that result from the porous carbon matrix. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.