Carbon encapsulated Fe3O4/graphene framework with oriented macropores for lithium ion battery anode with enhanced cycling stabilityElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra20257d

Carbon encapsulated Fe 3 O 4 /graphene frameworks with highly oriented macroporous structures have been constructed by an ice-segregation-induced self-assembly process. Serving as the anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, the oriented macropores can reduce the polarization of electrode and the loss of capacity, and the carbon shells can effectively prevent the pulverization of Fe 3 O 4 caused by the inner-plane volume expansion. C-Fe 3 O 4 /G with 60 wt% of Fe 3 O 4 delivers a high capacity of 1065 mA h g −1 at a current density of 0.2 A g −1 after 200 cycles. Even at a high current density of 8 A g −1 , the electrode still achieves a high capacity of 470 mA h g −1 . Carbon encapsulated Fe 3 O 4 /graphene frameworks (C-Fe 3 O 4 /G) with highly oriented macropores show good rate capability and improve the cycle stability when used as anode material for LIBs.