High-Performance Cathode Material of FeF3·0.33H2O Modified with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Lithium-Ion Batteries

• Main Authors: Lu Lu, Sheng Li, Jun Li, Lifang Lan, Yan Lu, Shuaijun Xu, Si Huang, Chunyang Pan, Fenghua Zhao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2019-03-01
• Series: Nanoscale Research Letters
• Subjects: FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material; Conductive network; Electrochemical performance; Lithium-ion batteries
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s11671-019-2925-y

Abstract The FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material can exhibit a high capacity and high energy density through transfer of multiple electrons in the conversion reaction and has attracted great attention from researchers. However, the low conductivity of FeF3·0.33H2O greatly restricts its application. Generally, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene can be used as conductive networks to improve the conductivities of active materials. In this work, the FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material was synthesized via a liquid-phase method, and the FeF3·0.33H2O/CNT + graphene nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by introduction of CNTs and graphene conductive networks. The electrochemical results illustrate that FeF3·0.33H2O/CNT + graphene nanocomposite delivers a high discharge capacity of 234.2 mAh g−1 in the voltage range of 1.8–4.5 V (vs. Li+/Li) at 0.1 C rate, exhibits a prominent cycling performance (193.1 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 0.2 C rate), and rate capability (140.4 mAh g−1 at 5 C rate). Therefore, the electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material modified with CNTs and graphene composite conductive network can be effectively improved.