FeF₃/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon (OMC) Nanocomposites\nfor Lithium Ion Batteries with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

FeF₃ is of great interest as a potential candidate cathode\nmaterial because of its low cost, abundance, environmental friendliness,\nand high theoretical capacity of about 237 mAh·g^–1 in the voltage range of 2.0–4.5 V. However, FeF₃ has drawbacks of poor cycling stability and rate performance because\nof its low intrinsic electrical conductivity and slow diffusion of\nlithium ions. These issues should be improved for the practical application\nof FeF₃ in lithium-ion battery systems. In this study,\nFeF₃/ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) nanocomposites were\nsynthesized by an incipient-wetness impregnation technique in a facile\nand scalable method. The tubular shaped OMC was utilized as both a\nconductive agent and a hard template for the formation of nanosized\nFeF₃ particles. The FeF₃/OMC nanocomposites\nshowed enhanced capacity, cycling stability, and rate performance\ncompared to bulk FeF₃ in the voltage range of 2.0–4.5\nV at room temperature.