Enhanced Reaction Kinetic of Fe₃O₄-graphite Nanofiber Composite Electrode for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

A $Fe_3O_4$-graphite nanofiber composite for use as an anode material was successfully synthesized by calcining $Fe_3O_4$ and graphite nanofiber (GNF) together in a $N_2$ atmosphere. Using this $Fe_3O_4$-GNF composite in a lithium ion battery resulted in a higher lithium storage capacity than that obtained using $Fe_3O_4$-graphite ($Fe_3O_4$-G). The $Fe_3O_4$-GNF (10 wt%) electrode exhibited a higher lithium ion diffusion coefficient ($2.29{\times}10^{-9}cm^2s^{-1}$) than did the $Fe_3O_4$-G (10%) ($3.17{\times}10^{-10}cm^2s^{-1}$). At a current density of $100mA\;g^{-1}$, the $Fe_3O_4$-GNF (10 wt%) anode showed a higher reversible capacity ($1,031mAh\;g^{-1}$) than did the $Fe_3O_4$-G (10%) anode ($799mAh\;g^{-1}$). Moreover, the $Fe_3O_4GNF$ electrodes showed good cycling performance without the addition of a conductive material.