Self-Assembly of Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>-Nanoplate/Graphene-Nanosheet Hybrid by One-Pot Route and Its Improved Li-Storage Properties

• Main Authors: Xinbing Zhao, Gaoshao Cao, Fangfang Tu, Jian Xie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-07-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: bismuth telluride; graphene; Li-ion batteries; sandwich
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/5/7/1275
• ISSN: 1996-1944

A sandwich structured Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>-nanoplates/graphene-nanosheet (Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/G) hybrid has been synthesized by a facile in situ solvothermal route and has been investigated as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries. Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> grows during the solvothermal process with the simultaneous reduction of graphite oxide into graphene. The in situ formation process of the hybrid has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectra. The Li-storage mechanism and performance of Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/G and bare Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3 </sub>have been studied by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry. The Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>/G sandwich exhibits an obviously improved cycling stability compared to bare Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>. The enhancement in electrochemical performance can be attributed to the combined conducting, confining and dispersing effects of graphene for Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> nanoplates and to the self-assembled sandwich structure.