Foam carbon loading Fe3O4 nanoparticles for superior lithium-ion batteries anode material

A novel foam carbon (FC) material with partly graphitized and 3D interlaced thin carbon interlayer as skeleton was synthesized by an eco-friendly route. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (~20 nm) were loaded homogenously into pores of FC through simple impregnating and thermal treatment. The electrochemical property of Fe 3 O 4 /FC composite was evaluated by galvanostatic discharge/charge cycling, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that Fe 3 O 4 /FC nanocomposite possessed superior cycling stability and C-rate performance. A stable capacity of 1100 mAh g −1 was maintained at a current density of 0.1 C and the reversible capacity reached to 440 mAh g −1 at 5 C in C-rate test. The excellent performance is attributed to the desired composite structure of Fe 3 O 4 /FC, including homogenous distribution of nano-sized Fe 3 O 4 particles, 3D interconnected electron transmission carbon network, and abundant interlinked pore channel, which guarantee quick electron and Li + transfer as well as electrode structure undamaged during (de)lithiation process.