Graphene/acid assisted facile synthesis of structure-tuned Fe₃O₄ and graphene composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Structure-tuned Fe₃O₄ and graphene composites were prepared using a facile graphene/acid assisted facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The structural characteristics of Fe₃O₄ can be tuned by adjusting the initial molar ratio between iron acetylacetonate and citric acid. The citric acid serves dual function as a reducing agent during the production of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs), and as a bridging agent which under optimized conditions can result in mesoporous Fe₃O₄ nanospheres (NSs) self-assembled by numerous Fe₃O₄ NPs. The fabricated mesoporous Fe₃O₄ NSs and graphene composites were evaluated as potential anode materials for lithium ion batteries. These composites exhibit better electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity, good rate capability and cyclic stability derived from their unique mesoporous structural features.